Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)

Mitsubishi Motors' Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) combines the environmental friendliness of a zero-emissions electric vehicle with the performance and mobility of a gasoline-powered vehicle. This four-passenger HEV is based on the company's Ecological Science Research concept car and production Expo wagon.

Engine
The HEV is powered by electricity and recharged with an on-board, gasoline-fueled, auxiliary power unit (APU). The APU features a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder, water-cooled, four-stroke, gasoline-fueled engine with a highly efficient AC power generator. Under normal driving conditions the vehicle is powered by 28 open-cell batteries. Should the battery charge fall below half its capacity the APU switches on and begins to charge the batteries. Once the charge is restored to above 60%, operation automatically returns to battery mode. This vehicle has a range of more than 150 miles, the capability to travel at speeds up to 95 mph, and registers exhaust emissions of nearly zero. Transmission - The HEV features front-wheel drive and a two-speed semiautomatic transmission. Twin electrical engines drive the front wheels, using one for lower speeds and both for acceleration, which allows them to run within their most efficient operating range.