Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) subsidiary Mitsubishi Motors Sales of Canada (MMSCAN) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of British Colombia, the City of Vancouver, power company BC Hydro, and Mitsubishi Canada Limited for feasibility testing of the zero-emissions i MiEV*1 electric vehicle.

Under the terms of the agreement, one car would be added to BC Hydro's fleet of vehicles and one to the City of Vancouver's fleet for demonstration and evaluation purposes. The agreement also allows for the addition of more cars as they become available.

"Electric cars are part of the sustainable transportation solution for British Columbia and I am pleased that the i MiEV will make its Canadian debut in Vancouver," said Environment Minister Barry Penner. "By looking at new, innovative technologies, we can work toward achieving our goal of reducing greenhouse gas emission by 33 per cent by 2020."

"I'm thrilled that Vancouver gets to debut the i MiEV," said Mayor Gregor Robertson. "We want to make Vancouver the greenest city in the world, and supporting this early adoption of plug-in electric cars is one way that Vancouver is becoming a leader in green technology. Electric vehicles are an important way to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions when combined with improvements to transit, biking and walking."

Mitsubishi i MiEV (2010)
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Announced in October 2006, the i MiEV represents the pinnacle of Mitsubishi Motors' green technologies. Currently involved in testing and promotional activities in Japan, New Zealand, Australia, the United States and across Europe, the i MiEV will be launched in Japan during the summer of 2009.

*1 MiEV: Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle