The start of the i-MiEV was when I made a presentation on the electric vehicle related technology at the event of “In-house technology presentation” held in May 2005. In those days, the electric vehicle was based on the compact car “Colt“, not the mini-car “i”, but there made the technology presentation without any specific plans. Then, we were aiming to commercialize it in some way for the future.
The time when the development-base vehicle was changed to the “i” from the Colt was in the latter half of 2005 through 2006. At that time, the advanced development of the i-MiEV has started, so it can be said to be the start of thinking of the introduction of the i-MiEV into the market.
Honestly, we didn't consider the introduction into the market until the Colt EV, which is a predecessor of i-MiEV, because it still had a lot of testing-vehicle's significance. In other words, it was said to be still a vehicle for testing how to use the battery and the motor at that time. However, at the timing of staring the development of the i-MiEV, we already had prospects for the possibility of mass-production. And then, we started an authorized project for the introduction of the i-MiEV into the market in 2005. Of course, there were arguments for and against this project, but we insisted “The promotion of environmental technology is a must to revitalize Mitsubishi Motors” and had the prototype electric vehicle test-driven by the responsible managing director at that time in 2005, then the managing director had fully understood the electric vehicle's capabilities. After this test-drive, Mitsubishi Motors started the vital promotion of the introduction of the i-MiEV into the market.
The electric vehicle has a limited cruising range. In case of a larger vehicle, a longer cruising range is required. Therefore, we thought of developing the vehicle which focused on the urban use. Come to think of it, we noticed the smaller body and the spacious cabin of the “I” were just fitted to the electric vehicle.
- Hiroaki Yoshida
- General Manager of the EV/Powertrain System Engineering Department,Joined Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in 1978, belonged to the Research Department, engaged in the development work of electronically controlled suspension, four-wheel steering system, anti-skid brake system, and then transferred to the EV development team of Electronics Engineering Department, where involved in the research and development work of electric vehicles, fuel cells, and hybrid vehicles.
