formatting link
Mitsubishi will build its EVs with in-wheel motors and lithium-ion batteries, both of which the company has been working on for several years. Mitsubishi forsees using the Mitsubishi In-wheel motor Electric Vehicle (MIEV) concept in hybrids and fuel cell vehicles as well.Mitsubishi Motors has already built several test vehicles using lithium-ion battery systems, including the Mitsubishi HEV in 1996, the FTO-EV in 1998 and the Eclipse EV in 2000. The FTO-EV set a multiple-charge 24-hour distance world record on a proving ground, while the Eclipse EV covered over 400 km on public roads on a single battery charge.
The company currently is using a modified Colt as its EV testbed. After removing the combustion engine, fuel tank and transmission, Mitsubishi fitted two 20 kW in-wheel motors with 600 Nm (443 lb-ft) torque each to the rear wheels.