Mitsubishi Motors' New Zero-Emission Electric Car plans to hit Canadian roads in 2009

MISSISSAUGA - Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada (MMSCAN) announced, today, its new zero-emission electric car I MiEV could hit the streets of Canada as early as November 2009.

As part of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between MMSCAN, Mitsubishi Canada Ltd, the Government of British Columbia, BC Hydro and the City of Vancouver, I MiEV, the first production ready, highway-capable electric car could be test driven by BC Hydro and the City of Vancouver on B.C. roads by the end of the year.

Under the terms of the agreement, one car would be added to BC Hydro's fleet of vehicles and one to the City of Vancouver's fleet for demonstration and evaluation purposes. The agreement also allows for the addition of more cars as they become available.

"We are committed to green technologies and to leading the way in electric car development," said Koji Soga, president and CEO of Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada Inc. "The i MiEV represents the pinnacle of Mitsubishi Motors' green technologies. We believe in this car, in its potential and in its future."

"Electric cars are part of the sustainable transportation solution for British Columbia and I am pleased that the i MiEV will make its Canadian debut in Vancouver," said Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Minister Blair Lekstrom. "By looking at new, innovative technologies, we can work toward achieving our goal of reducing greenhouse gas emission by 33 per cent by 2020."

"I'm thrilled that Vancouver gets to debut the i MiEV," said Mayor Gregor Robertson. "We want to make Vancouver the greenest city in the world, and supporting this early adoption of plug-in electric cars is one way that Vancouver is becoming a leader in green technology. Electric vehicles are an important way to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions when combined with improvements to transit, biking and walking."

Announced in October 2006, the Mitsubishi i MiEV represents the height of Mitsubishi Motors' green technologies. Currently involved in testing and promotional activities in Japan, New Zealand, Australia, the United States and Europe, the i MiEV will be launched in Japan during the summer of 2009.