Mitsubishi 2000 Annual Report Download - page 26

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a CVT, motor and high-performance compact batteries.
Electric vehicles
For use in HEV's and EV's, MMC is actively engaged in the
development of high-performance storage batteries that hold
great promise as a prime-moving environmental technology
for the not-so-distant future,
In December 1999, a Mitsubishi FTO-EV prototype
rewrote the 24-hour distance record using advanced man-
ganese lithium-ion batteries developed with Japan Storage
Battery Co., Ltd. and Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation.
Featuring much faster charging and a significant increase in
cruising range per charge, the new battery helped the FTO-
EV to become the first EV to cover over 2,000 km in 24 hours.
In March 2000, the company announced the MEEV-II
(Mitsubishi Eco Electric Vehicle - II) next-generation micro-
vehicle prototype, a proposal for easing energy related prob-
lems and congestion in major towns and cities in the near fu-
ture. An electric micro-commuter for two, MEEV-II carries
its ultra-compact body on an aluminum frame and uses high-
performance, low-cost manganese lithium-ion batteries that
are light in weight and have a high capacity.
Fuel cell electric vehicles
Powered by electricity derived from the hydrogen-oxygen re-
action, fuel cell electric vehicles are characterized by very
high energy efficiency levels and much cleaner emissions
than conventional vehicles. As such, they are seen as a
promising clean-energy vehicle for the future.
Harnessing the immense resources of the Mitsubishi
group, MMC is currently working with other member com-
panies on the development of a FCEV, with a target produc-
tion date of 2005. The company is working with Mitsubishi
Heavy Industries on the development of the fuel cell system
and reformer, and with Mitsubishi Electric on the vehicle
control system.
The MFCV (Mitsubishi Fuel Cell Vehicle) adopts the
methanol-fuelled system in which the on-board reformer us-
es easy-to-handle methanol to generate hydrogen for the fuel
cell. Comprising a small reformer that operates at low tem-
peratures thanks to MMC's proprietary catalyst technology
and high-efficiency fuel cell, the compact system fits under
the floor of a small car, leaving roomy accommodation for
occupants and a spacious luggage compartment.
The MFCV is expected to achieve a total energy efficien-
cy double that of a conventional gasoline vehicle. This high-
ly eco-friendly vehicle also enables a 40% reduction in CO2
emissions, as well as virtually eliminating NOx, CO and HC
emissions.
CNG vehicles
Vehicles powered by CNG (compressed natural gas) emit
30% less CO2than their gasoline counterparts. To take ad-
Environmental stewardship & technology
24
MFCV
Mitsubishi Fuel Cell System
MEEV-II (Mitsubishi Eco Electric Vehicle-II)