Mitsubishi is set to begin production of the Minicab-MiEV electric commercial Kei car in Indonesia starting in 2024. While this might not seem like groundbreaking news, there is a bigger story behind this vehicle that speaks to the resilience of old electric vehicles and their technology.
First introduced in Japan in 2011, the Minicab-MiEV is a 12-year-old design that will go into production as a brand-new vehicle in a facility capable of producing up to 220,000 units per year and employing about 3,300 people. What makes this van even more interesting is that it uses more or less the same electric system as the 2009 Mitsubishi i-MiEV hatchback, which was one of the first mass-produced electric vehicles, alongside the Peugeot iOn and Citroen C-Zero.
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Mitsubishi believes it’s perfectly fine to sell a commercial van that was designed more than a decade ago with an electric powertrain that debuted almost 15 years ago, albeit tweaked for commercial use. And for short trip deliveries in congested towns, it might just be the perfect choice for small business owners.
The Minicab-MiEV comes with a single electric motor that produces 30 kilowatts (40 horsepower) and 145 pound-feet (196 Newton-meters) of torque. Customers have two battery options to choose from: a 10.5 kilowatt-hours pack that offers up to 62 miles (100 kilometers) of range and a 16 kWh unit that can provide up to 93 miles (150 km) of range. The best part is that everything was fitted under the floor of the van, so the cargo capacity hasn’t been altered in any way.
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While the range of the Minicab-MiEV might not be as impressive as newer electric vehicles, it should be more than enough for last-mile deliveries. And for small business owners looking for an electric van, the Minicab-MiEV’s simplicity and reliability might just be the perfect fit.
The Minicab-MiEV will be assembled at PT Mitsubishi Motors Krama Yudha Indonesia (MMKI), where the Japanese marque currently makes the Pajero Sport, Xpander, and Xpander Cross. It remains to be seen whether other carmakers will follow Mitsubishi’s lead and reintroduce older electric vehicle models for specific uses, but the Minicab-MiEV proves that sometimes, older technology can still be a viable option in today’s world.