Mitsubishi Working on Cheaper i-MiEV

Mitsubishi is now going further with its i-MiEV plans so it is working on a refreshed version of the car that would be offered with a smaller price tag compared to the current model. Basically, the Japanese manufacturer wants to develop a cheaper model that would offer less features thus providing reduced autonomy. This means the future i-MiEV will be able to cover shorter distances on a single charge, as autocar.co.uk reported.

Additionally, Mitsubishi is also working on a separate version of the all-electric car that would be able to cover a total distance of 124 miles per charge, up 24 miles from the current range of the existing model.

"We have to understand that the automotive industry is facing a big change; the business model that worked for the last century will not be sustainable in the future. We need to show concrete actions on how Mitsubishi Motors will meet these challenges. It's important to take the first step," Osamu Masuko, Mitsubishi president said.

Mitsubishi is really keen on its electric plans, as media reports indicate that it is also working on a separate electric car that would hit the market by 2012. However, we do know that the cheaper car we're talking about is the more affordable i-MiEV we told you today so we're still expecting some official info from Mitsubishi.

"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."