Mitsubishi Goes Electric: New EVs in 2010

 http://www.greencarcongress.com/2005/05/mitsubishi_goes.html

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.

 
IIRC the big issue with in-wheel motors (which are way cool in concept) is
the weight added to the wheels. Any word on what the motors weigh?

Mike

 Michael Pardee wrote:

Don't know, just found this on the net.
Cool concept, no poluting engine, transmission etc... like the Mars rover.
Still running on the surface of the Mars, eh?
Julius