Mitsubishi i-MiEV Crash-Tested by ADAC

At the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Volvo presented what it called the first crash-tested electric vehicle in the world, an electric C30 that resisted pretty well to the forces generated by the impact. Today, another crash test concerning an electric vehicle reveals its results, this time concerning Mitsubishi's tiny i-MiEV. The tests were conducted by the Germans from ADAC.

Given the fact that the car is equipped with a high-voltage battery, most fears were aimed at the way the battery reacts to impact forces, as risks of fire are very high in the case of EVs. But Mitsubishi's city car reacted almost as a conventional vehicle against a deformable barrier, with only slight deformations at the floor level. The passenger compartment remained intact, while the airbags deployed just as they should.

As for the battery, the i-MiEV automatically disconnects it in the event of a crash to protect the cabin from fire. Still, battery covers and the other protection systems installed were damaged by the impact, but the lithium-ion cells were not affected at all.

The i-MiEV, which will soon go on sale in multiple markets, uses, instead of a gasoline engine, transmission and fuel tank with a 330-volt lithium-ion battery system located under the floor deck, electric motor and onboard charging system. The electric motor that powers the rear wheels develops 47 kW or 64 hp and 180 Nm or 132.8 lb-ft of maximum torque. The battery can reach a full charge status in 6 hours if a standard 220V outlet is used, or an 80 percent charge in 30 minutes with a rapid charger. On a full charge, the i-MiEV has a range of 50-80 miles (80 to 120 km).