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The Future of Fuel-Efficient Japanese Cars

September 2, 2009 in Consumer News, EVs, Future Cars, Hybrids, MPG, diesel, small cars by kristen | 1 comment

Automotive News, and industry publication, recently did a rundown of the upcoming cars from Japanese manufacturers. Here’s the latest in green cars from the Land of the Rising Sun (and Rising Fuel Economy):

Honda:

  • Rumor has it that an electric vehicle from the company could be unveiled this fall and see production in 2015
  • The hybrid version of the Honda Fit has been canceled
  • The CR-Z hybrid sport coupe will go on sale in Spring 2010

Infiniti:

  • The company may introduce a diesel engine in the U.S., like it sells in Europe
  • We’ll see an Infiniti hybrid in 2 or 3 years,probably in an M-class sedan

Lexus:

  • The Lexus HS dedicated hybrid debuted in January this year, and goes on sale this month
  • A hybrid version of the ES will be added in 2012

Mitsubishi:

  • The U.S. will get the I-MiEV electric car in 2012
  • A larger I-MiEV II with more cargo space could debut in 2012, too

Nissan:

  • “By the middle of the next decade, or 2015, something on the order of 10% of our volume will be EV,” said Brian Carolin, senior VP for North American sales and marketing
  • The all-electric Leaf will go on sale in 2011, and be built in the U.S. in 2012
  • The 370Z sports car might get a hybrid version for 2012

Scion:

  • 2011 iQ: The tiny, gasoline-powered car is expected to get 60 mpg and go on sale in the U.S. in fall 2010

Subaru:

  • Has neither a hybrid nor a clean diesel in its plans for the next few years

Toyota:

  • A two-door Prius could see production in 2012 or 2013
  • Toyota is considering hybrid versions of the Yaris, Avalon, and Corolla
  • The Sienna minivan will get a hybrid version in 2012

Image of the I-MiEV by Kristen Hall-Geisler.

Price Announced for Mitsubishi i-MiEV

June 18, 2009 in Consumer News, EVs, Hybrids, diesel, small cars by kristen | No comments

We already knew that the Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric car would go on sale in July 2009, but we didn’t know how much it would sell for. I, for one, would never have guessed that the price tag would be a whopping $45,660. There’s a lot of new tech packed into that teensy package.

Other high-tech electric cars are expected to reach the $40,000, including the anticipated Chevy Volt and the already announced Subaru Stella, which starts at $49,255, according to the New York Times’ Wheels blog.

What other cars cost about $50,000? Let’s take a look:

  • 2010 Lexus RX Hybrid: $41,660
  • Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTec clean diesel: $48,600
  • Volkswagen Touareg 2 TDI clean diesel: $42,800

But all of these, for their steps in a green direction, require fossil fuels in one form or another and emit CO2 to a greater or lesser degree. The i-MiEV will be all-electric and zero-emissions.

Image of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV by Kristen Hall-Geisler.

i-MiEV Sales to Start in April 2010

June 9, 2009 in Consumer News, EVs, small cars by kristen | No comments

Mitsubishi announced that it’s little egg-shaped EV, the i-MiEV, will start production ASAP, with limited test leasing of about 1400 cars to select customers begining as soon as July 2009.

The press release for the unveiling of the production version of the i-MiEV calls it “the pioneer that will open the door to the next 100 years of our automobile society.” While electric cars will figure in the next century of driving, let’s remember that improved gasoline technology, clean diesel, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, liquid natural gas, and hydrogen fuel cells will all play a part in transportation in the decades to come.

Image of the production Mitsubishi i-MiEV provided by Mitsubishi Motors.