Electric i-car hope

Mitsubishi is looking to bypass the hybrid car phenomenon in Australia and become the first car-maker to launch a mass-produced all-electric vehicle, beginning with the production version of the i-MiEV unveiled at the Tokyo motor show last year.

The four-door four-seater micro-car uses lithium-ion batteries (recharged over about seven hours from a standard mains power outlet) and has a range of about 160km.

Production is set to commence next year, although the first wave of orders will come from Japanese government fleets. Private domestic sales are expected to start in 2010, with exports beginning around the same time.

Suzuki FCV program

SUZUKI Motor Corp has commenced testing a new fuel cell vehicle based on the SX4 hatchback on public roads, following approval earlier this month from Japan’s ministry of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism.

Using General Motors-derived fuel cell stack and a Suzuki-developed 70MPa hydrogen fuel tank, the SX4-FCV has a 250km driving range and a 150km/h maximum speed.

Maximum fuel cell output is 80kW, while an electric motor onboard produces 68kW.