Mitsubishi’s 67 km/liter Outlander plug-in hybrid to join PH Electric Vehicle Summit

Mitsubishi Motors Phils. Corp. (MMPC) will be showcasing the new Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) at the 2013 Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit. Outlander PHEV is the world’s first plug-in hybrid SUV that delivers on and off road performance and at the same time combines environmental performance and quietness of an EV.  It uses Mitsubishi Motors Corp.’s (MMC) own Plug-in Hybrid EV System powertrain derived from 100% electric system used on the i-MiEV model. The Outlander PHEV combines together the proven EV and environmental technologies including the Mitsubishi Innovative Valve Timing Electronic Control System (MIVEC).

The Outlander PHEV has just won the Car of the Year Japan 2013-2014’s Innovation Award which recognizes the car with the most innovative technologies that contribute environment, safety, and other mobility issues by the Car of the Year Japan

For optimal efficiency the Outlander PHEV uses Automatic Selection of Drive Modes which automatically selects the drive mode for a superior fuel efficiency and comfortable.  Drive modes are EV Drive Mode, Series Hybrid Mode, and Parallel Hybrid Mode depending on the driving condition and the remaining battery charge.  The EV Drive Mode is an all-electric mode in which the front and rear motors drive the vehicle using only electricity form the drive battery. This results to zero CO2 emissions.  The Series Hybrid Mode operates as generator supplying electricity to the electric motors.  The system switches to this mode when the remaining charge in the battery falls below a predetermined level and when more powerful performance is required.  Lastly, the Parallel Hybrid Mode, the system switches to this mode for faster speed driving.

The Outlander PHEV’s unique combination of electric motors and gasoline engine provides optimum fuel efficiency and environmental performance while providing a long cruising range. For example, on electric power only, the Outlander PHEV has a cruising range of 60.2* kilometers on pure EV mode enabling it to function entirely as an EV in most everyday situations. It also has a total combined (with its internal combustion engine) cruising range of 897* kilometers, making it perfectly suited for uses traditionally associated with SUVs, such as long-distance travel and outdoor and leisure activities.

The optimum drive mode for comfortable and fuel-efficient driving is automatically selected depending on driving conditions and remaining battery charge. Gasoline consumption is minimized by actively utilizing electric power, keeping the gasoline engine in its most efficient range, and by recovering energy during deceleration via regenerative braking. This results in a plug-in hybrid fuel efficiency (combined fuel efficiency) of 67.0 kilometers per liter*

The high capacity 12KWh lithium ion drive battery gives Outlander PHEV an EV Drive Mode cruising range of over 55km.  It takes approximately 4.5 hours to fully charge the battery and 30 minutes quick-charging time for 80% charged.

The Outlander PHEV is designed to provide a highly environment friendly vehicle and at the same time a vehicle that translates Mitsubishi Motors’ commitment of providing uncompromised driving pleasure to its customers.

The Electric Vehicle Summit is organized by the Electric Vehicle Alliance which is composed of the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP), Meralco, Clean Air Initiative Asia, and the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities.  On its third year the group has chosen to adopt the theme “Mainstreaming the Electric Vehicle Ecosystem”. The EV Summit which is expected to bring together key sectors on the realization of EVs in the country will be held on November 28 to 29 at the Meralco Multi-Purpose Hall.  MMPC is among the major sponsors of this summit and advocacy.

Update: The organizers of the Electric Vehicle Summit have postponed the event, in the light of ongoing rehabilitation initiatives for damage caused by typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). The event is rescheduled for February 27-28, 2014.

*Based on JC08 mode, which is an official method of measuring fuel consumption introduced by the Japanese government.