What is "miev"

MIEV (Mitsubishi In-wheel motor Electric Vehicle) or MiEV (Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle) is the name given by Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors (MMC) to its alternative propulsion technologies. From late 2006, “MiEV” encompasses all of Mitsubishi Motors’s electric drive systems work, including lithium-ion batteries, in-wheel motors and other technologies related to electric vehicle(EV), hybrid-electric vehicle and fuel-cell vehicles.

The Mitsubishi In-wheel motor was first introduced in the Mitsubishi Colt EV, a Colt-based concept car first exhibited at 2005 Tokyo Motor Show which used a series of lithium-ion batteries to power electric motors located in the wheels. Subsequent electrically powered vehicles have included a 200 kW Lancer Evolution, and a battery-equipped Mitsubishi i kei car (i-MIEV).

The i-MiEV was launched for fleet customers in Japan in July 2009, and on April 1, 2010 sales to the public began in the Japanese market at a price of 4 million yen
(~USD43,000). After government incentives the sale price drops to 2.8 million yen (~$30,500). Sales in other countries are expected to begin in October 2010. Sales in Ireland and the U.K. are scheduled to begin in January 2011.