Mitsubishi, Peugeot Strike Electric Car Alliance
By (Display Name not set) June 16, 2008
Less than a month after Mitsubishi Motors Corp. announced it will become a minority partner in PSA Peugeot Citroën's new $465 million plant in Russia, the two automakers have agreed to work together in the production of electric vehicles, according to news reports.
Additionally, the companies are considering forming a joint venture to manufacture EVs, Reuters reported today, citing an article in Nikkei, the Japanese business daily.
Mitsubishi has agreed to supply Peugeot with technology relating to the conversion of electricity into drive power and the prevention of batteries from overheating... Mitsubishi will also supply lithium-ion batteries, which can store more energy in smaller packages.
Batteries than can store more power and in smaller packs than those currently available are crucial for extending the cruising distance of purely electric vehicles.
As Edmunds.com's InsideLine.com reported recently, Mitsubishi and Peugeot are planning a joint venture in Russia to produce cars from 2011, and have an operational tie-up under which Mitsubishi builds 4X4 vehicles such as the C-Crosser and Peugeot 4007.
Scott Doggett, Contributor
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