More Manufacturers Are Turning To Electric Vehicles

Nissan and Mitsubishi have both announced plans to release an all-electric vehicle to the US market by 2010. Nissan will debut its all-electric concept at the 2008 New York Auto Show. The company plans to introduce an all-electric fleet vehicle to the US and Japanese markets by 2010, and intends to have a modified consumer version ready by 2012. Nissan has been experimenting with Li-ion batteries for its Cube vehicle, but the company has not indicated whether it plans to use the Cube as the basis for its electric vehicle program. The company has not released any significant details of its all-electric vehicle, except to say that it expects the product to operate at a top speed of 75 MPH and offer a range of about 100 miles between charges.

Mitsubishi Motors also recently announced that it plans to bring an electric vehicle to market by 2010. The company hopes to be the first major manufacturer to market with an all-electric vehicle, competing with GM and Toyota for that distinction. In a statement, the company indicated that its strategy would be to manufacture cars that are less expensive and friendlier to the environment. As part of the strategy, the company will focus on mini-cars, small cars and efficient, mid-sized SUVs. Mitsubishi will also place a special focus on emerging markets in Russia, Brazil, the Middle East, China and India.

Nissan and Mitsubishi plan to collaborate on the creation of a mini-car. Neither company has said that they will collaborate on an electric vehicle, although their release targets for market-ready electric vehicles are identical. That collaboration could also include working on light commercial vehicles.