Mitsubishi to Provide i MiEV Electric Vehicles to Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas and Electric for Joint Testing and Evaluation

Innovative Four-Passenger Electric Car Delivery in Fourth Quarter 2008

TOKYO - August 7, 2008: Mitsubishi Motors announced today that it has signed a separate letters of intent with Southern California Edison (SCE) and Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) to forge a unique collaboration for testing and demonstration of the new i MiEV electric vehicle.

According to Tohru Hashimoto, Corporate General Manager of the i MiEV Business Promotion Office of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, "The small, four-passenger Mitsubishi i MiEVs will enter into SCE's nationally-recognized prototype testing and evaluation program. This collaboration with one of the nation's leading utility supporters of electric vehicles will provide us technical feedback on i MiEV vehicle and battery performance, as well as vehicle connection and integration into the electrical system."

Of the relationship with PG&E, Mr. Hashimoto said, "We are hoping for the opportunity to introduce the small, four-passenger Mitsubishi i MiEV to PG&E's fleet in the fourth quarter of this year so that we can begin real-world U.S. testing. The joint partnership will yield valuable data and a greater appreciation of the practicality of an all-electric vehicle in California."

Extensive testing with the i MiEV has been occurring over the past two years with seven major utility companies in Japan. The success of these programs quickened the pace and prompted Mitsubishi Motors to begin selling the electric vehicle in the Japan market in summer of 2009.

The rise in interest for electric vehicles and other alternative-fuel propulsion systems is dramatically shaping the way automakers and utility companies are approaching the opportunity. Through this program, it's hoped that the two utility companies will help Mitsubishi gauge how electric vehicles can benefit the community and the needs of utility companies.

Speaking for SCE, Edward Kjaer, Director of Electric Transportation, said, "Southern California Edison has more than 20 years and 16 million EV miles of experience operating the nation's largest private fleet of electric vehicles. This new EV collaboration with Mitsubishi complements SCE's existing work on plug-in hybrids and next-generation advanced batteries and their effective connection and control by Edison's next-generation meters."

For PG&E, Andrew Tang, Senior Director of Smart Energy Web, said, "PG&E has been researching the benefits of electric vehicles since the nineties. Partnering with automakers like Mitsubishi is vital to developing compatible infrastructures to support electric vehicles in the marketplace and ensure responsible integration with the grid. By working with Mitsubishi, we will both benefit from a free exchange of electric vehicle information that includes charging infrastructure availability, vehicle data, vehicle commercialization expectations and public feedback."

The i MiEV electric vehicle, which is based on Mitsubishi's "i" gasoline-powered mini car on sale in Japan, adapts a zero-emissions state-of-the-art electric drivetrain. A durable 330-volt lithium-ion battery system is located under the floor deck and powers a permanent magnet electric motor. With this packaging, the i MiEV is able to offer the same level of interior utility and space as the gasoline version while lowering the center of gravity for more stable handling. The 47 kW electric motor offers improved performance and quicker acceleration over the 64-hp gasoline version.

The advanced lithium-ion battery is developed by the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation / Mitsubishi Corporation / GS Yuasa joint venture company, Lithium Energy Japan. LEJ represents the leading edge in battery technology and promises up to 100 miles* of zero-emissions, economical driving on a single charge when packaged in the i MiEV.

*Japan 10-15 Mode Cycle