MIEV
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Mitsubishi In-wheel motor Electric Vehicle (MIEV) is a propulsion technology developed by Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors. First seen in the Mitsubishi Colt EV, a concept car introduced at 2005 Tokyo Motor Show, it uses a series of lithium-ion batteries to power electric motors located in the wheels.[1]
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[edit] History
Before developing the MIEV concept, Mitsubishi built several electric vehicles in the 1990s as they attempted to develop alternative propulsion systems. Development began in the 1970s, and 36 Libero EVs were sold between 1993 and 1996.[2] Their FTO EV broke the record for the furthest distance achieved by an electric vehicle in 24 hours when it covered 2,142.3 km on December 19–20, 1999,[3][4] and following this success they entered an Eclipse EV in the annual Shikoku EV Rally in 2001, completing over 400 km on a single charge.[2]
[edit] Technology and performance
The motors themselves are constructed using an in-wheel motor rotor, an in-wheel motor starter, a rotor bracket, starter bracket and inverter directly behind the brakes. Engine power output is 47 kW and torque output 180 N·m. The batteries can be charged from a standard 15 A / 200 V car charger in seven hours and with a three-phase electric power charged in 25 minutes (for up to 80 percent of full capacity).[citation needed] The batteries are located under the floorpan and in the Colt uses 22 Li-ion modules to produce a cumulative 325 V. The design allows for an entirely electric vehicle, or a hybrid using the batteries to supplement a traditional internal combustion engine or a hydrogen fuel cell.[5]
[edit] Benefits
According to Mitsubishi, locating the motor behind the wheel offers the company three distinct advantages:[5]
- It allows for a four wheel drive system without need of transmission, driveshafts, differential gears or other complex mechanical components. Mitsubishi Motors has been one of the few companies to persist in offering 4WD on vehicles other than SUVs since the technology's heydey in the 1980s.
- Placing the drive system entirely in the wheels allows for greater freedom of design for interior stylists.
- The space created facilitates the storage of the batteries, allowing for extra modules to be fitted which would offer increased power and range compared to previous electric vehicles.
[edit] MIEV vehicles
- Mitsubishi Colt EV (2005) — first exhibited in 2005, with possible production for the Japanese market mooted for 2010.[6]
- Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MIEV (2005) — a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX sedan with four 50 kW motors, which took part in the 2005 Shikoku EV Rally.[7]
- Mitsubishi Concept CT MIEV (2006) — a sport compact prototype exhibited at the 2006 North American International Auto Show.[8]
- Mitsubishi Concept-EZ MIEV (2006) — a compact mono-box prototype exhibited at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show.[9]
- Mitsubishi i MIEV (2006) — a research vehicle based on the Mitsubishi i kei car, first exhibited at the 22nd International Battery, Hybrid and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Symposium & Exposition in Yokohama. MMC plans to provide three power companies with vehicles in 2006 and 2007 in order to conduct joint research to evaluate how fast-charge infrastructure may be developed for EVs. Fleet testing by five power companies will be conducted later in 2007.[10]
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ "Mitsubishi Motors to drive forward development of next-generation EVs", Mitsubishi Motors press release, May 11, 2005
- ^ a b "Electric Vehicle", Technical review, Mitsubishi-Motors.com
- ^ "MMC to display futuristic products at Exhibition of Dream Technologies for the 21st Century", Mitsubishi Motors press release, July 12, 2000
- ^ "Mitsubishi EV Sets New World Record; Covers 2000km in 24 hours", Mitsubishi Motors news release, December 20, 1999
- ^ a b "Mitsubishi In-wheel motor Electric Vehicle - A next-generation EV", Technical review, Mitsubishi-Motors.com
- ^ "Mitsubishi unveils electric car for 2010", MSNBC, May 11, 2005
- ^ "Mitsubishi Motors to enter Lancer Evolution MIEV in Shikoku EV Rally 2005", Mitsubishi Motors press release, August 24, 2005
- ^ "Mitsubishi Motors Lineup at 2006 North American International Auto Show", Mitsubishi Motors press release, January 10, 2006
- ^ "Mitsubishi Motors to display MITSUBISHI Concept-EZ MIEV concept and new Colt CZC coupe-cabriolet models at 2006 Geneva Motor Show", Mitsubishi Motors press release, January 30, 2006
- ^ "Mitsubishi Motors builds new research EV, "i MiEV" for joint research with power companies", Mitsubishi Motors press release, October 11, 2006
