Mitsubishi announced that it would be releasing it's iMiEV Electric car and is hoping to get some chargers throughout Japan.  Specifically Mitsubishi is trying to get EV chargers in parking lots and any public spaces where these cars may frequent.  Electric cars have a limited range, so parking lots would be a good place for people on longer trips to stop by and charge up before heading home.

Furthermore it would show the cars success if more chargers were placed throughout the country.  If everywhere you looked there was a charge station for an EV vehicle, wouldn't you want one?  As it stands now, the only place people will be charging the Mitsubishi iMiEV will be in their own garages and driveways while they sleep.

Mitsubishi is working on entering the plug-in electric hybrid car market with a big (or little) bang.  The Mitsubishi i MiEV is the latest creation in smart car technology that is promising the sky in terms of gas mileage at a whopping 100 mpg.  But let's look at what it means to get this kind of eco friendly transportation.

First of all, getting 100 mpg is just an arbitrary number.  You may remember me reporting back a few days ago about a Raser Hummer that was created to get 100 mpg.  Essentially these smart plug-in style hybrids are technically getting infinity miles per gallon, if you stay within the battery's charge range.  However, the efficiency of the tiny motors become more realistic after the charge has worn out.  The idea however, with the i MiEV is that most consumers don't drive over 40 miles per day, so the battery limitation is no problem.

Another kind of half truth is that the Mitsubishi iMiEV emits zero emissions, which is true, again if you stay within the cars battery charge radius.  Once the Mitsubishi battery is used up, the tiny motor is used to push it down the road and then the emissions start up just like any other internal combustion motorized vehicle.

Lastly, the price tag for this car or oversized bicycle is a whopping $45,000.  Depending on which side of the green fence you are on, this may or may not be worth the investment.  How long and how many miles would it take before this car starts paying for itself?  Well, if you only drive less than 40 miles per day, as the target market should, then you are looking at a looonnnggg time.

It's fine if you want to buy green vehicles and especially brawny golf carts, just make sure you buy them for the right reason.  I can just see the complaints and lawsuits rolling in once people realize it's not exactly as advertised.

Video of the Mitsubishi i MiEV Hybrid in action.  Short clip from the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show and driving on a test track.

The Mitsubishi Eclipse has been around for quite some time, actually first manufactured in 1990 and was built under 3 different names.  The Mitsubishi Eclipse, Eagle Talon, and Plymouth Laser were all the same with different brandings.  In addition to different labels we've also seen some great performance versions, even the first generation Eclipse had a turbo version, the Eclipse GS-T.

Here we are 18 years later and more than just the cosmetics have changed on this 4 cylinder, cult inducing, small size car.  Below is a stroll through memory lane with the Mitsubishi Eclipse and where it came from to where it's going.

Check out more information about the changes the Mitsubishi Eclipse has gone through over the years at Wikipedia.

Mitsubishi Eclipse on eBay

Mitsubishi Eclipse 2DR CONV SPY 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse GST Turbo Spyder Convertible    US $4,950.00

Mitsubishi Eclipse gs CUSTOM ECLIPSE Bodykit Rims Fast Turbo ready DSM    US $1,500.00

Mitsubishi Eclipse GST 1998 Mitsubshi Eclipse GST Turbo 5spd    US $2,075.00

Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX Turbo AWD 50K Lambo doors custom paint Leather EC    US $2,775.00

Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX 95 Eclipse GSX turbo talon converted to 99    US $4,500.00

It's a new racy hatchback in response to the failed acceptance of the last 'sport-back' Lancer that was available in the U.S. Equipped with a turbo charged 2.0 4 cylinder, capable of 230+ hp.

The part that sucks, is that the U.S. never gets a potent finished model like this. Hopefully it won't be too dumbed down by the time it hits domestic dirt.

New Mitsubishi car key chain watch crkw43    US $.10

Mitsubishi exquisite metal key ring key chain 2    US $.85

Mitsubishi metal key ring 3 styles    US $.88

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Red BRAND NEW    US $.91

Mitsubishi logo exquisite metal key ring key chain 6    US $.96