Mitsubishi Developing Affordable Electric Car

Mitsubishi is reportedly working on a new and cheaper electric car that might hit the market by 2012. Still not confirmed but it appears the future model will be based on the iMiEV car already shown to the public but will be equipped with a smaller battery, according to a report by the Nikkei newspaper. The new vehicle will be offered with a price tag of $31,400.

After the official launch of the car, Mitsubishi expects to sell more than 30,000 electric cars by the fiscal year 2013, theautochannel.com reports, but it's unclear whether the figures include the iMiEV as well or only the future model.

The battery system to be featured on the new electric car is one of the major problems for the manufacturer as it accounts for almost a half of the final cost of the car. It's yet sketchy whether Mitsubishi will rely on the same battery system as iMiEV or the company intends to sign a new agreement with a different supplier but more details are to come in the next few months.

Mitsubishi struggles to focus its efforts on electric cars as they play a very important role in the global market strategy, as revealed by some officials of the company.

"Electric vehicles are one branch of the automotive landscape and we are dedicated to providing these technology-sourced solutions as an important path for the world's clean-air options," Mitsubishi Motors North America President and CEO Shinichi Kurihara said back in April. "We believe the i MiEV delivers on the promise of sustainability, suitable range, performance, and innovative packaging and styling."