Mitsubishi Motors Corporation to Provide i MiEV Electric Vehicles to Southern California Edison's Industry Leading EV Technical Center for Joint Testing and Evaluation

Innovative Four-Passenger Electric Car Delivery in Fourth Quarter 2008

Tokyo - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced today that it has signed a letter of intent with Southern California Edison (SCE) to forge a unique collaboration for testing and evaluation 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."

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, SCE hopes to help Mitsubishi Motors gauge how electric vehicles will most effectively connect to the smart grid of the future and the next generation Edison SmartConnectTM advanced meters.

In addition, the collaboration may explore future requirements for vehicle communication and connection, helping enable new customer values associated with home energy management and control.

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.