Archive for category Technology
The electric version of Daihatsu Cuore/Mira (EV) has traveled 555.6 kilometers from Tokyo to Osaka, setting a new world record for the distance covered by an electric car on a single charge.
The car was developed by the Japan Electric Vehicle Club, a Tokyo based citizens’ group promoting the widespread use of electric cars.
Powered by 360 kilograms (8,320 cells) of Sanyo Electric Co.’s lithium ion batteries, the Mira EV, which departed Tokyo’s Nihonbashi district at 3 a.m. on Nov. 17, took two breaks on the way and crossed the finish line at Osaka’s Nipponbashi district at 4:26 p.m. the same day.
The achievement smashed the world record of 501 kilometers held by a U.S. firm, and it will be listed in the Guinness Book of Records.
“I am so excited to complete the whole distance,” said driver Tateuchi Tadashi, an automotive critic and group representative.
Daihatsu plans to release a gasoline-powered minivehicle with fuel efficiency that’s comparable to hybrid cars as early as next year.
The model will be able to travel more than 30 kilometers per liter and have an engine that automatically shuts off when the vehicle stops. Daihatsu aims to price the vehicle at about $11,000.
According to The Green Car Web Site, Daihatsu admitted it was interested in the concept.
However, Toyota’s mini-car specialist admits there is a stumbling block to any progression in this area – namely that it would need to obtain the proper batteries.
The company’s president claimed that it is not efficient for Daihatsu to manufacture batters on its own, but if it can procure good batteries it may install them in its vehicles, depending on the battery quality.
By contrast, hybrid vehicles appear to be firmly off the manufacturer’s agenda with Minoura telling reporters that the company cannot equip its current mini vehicles with hybrid components as it would only add weight and not be eco-friendly as a whole.
Daihatsu dominated the list of most-fuel-efficient cars with its models; Mira, Move, Sonica, and Move Conte.
According to Japan’s Ministry of Transportation (MLIT), the top ten most fuel-efficient gasoline cars (in the light vehicles category) of 2008, are the following:
- Daihatsu Mira (Cuore)
- Subaru R1
- Subaru R2
- Suzuki Alto Lapin
- Subaru Stella
- Daihatsu Move
- Daihatsu Sonica
- Daihatsu Move Conte
- Suzuki Wagon R
- Suzuki Cervo
List excludes all MT vehicles.
