Mitsubishi Partners With Utility Company for i MiEV

Mitsubishi announced it would send its all-electric i MiEV to Southern California Edison for testing and evaluation, similar to collaborations with utilities that are already under way in Japan.

The idea is for the utility company and the automaker to figure out how best to integrate electric vehicles like the i MiEV into a future “smart” grid that will be easily compatible with Edison’s SmartConnect charging meters.

The i MiEV — a mini car that will be available in Japan by 2009 — can drive up to a hundred miles on a single battery charge and will primarily serve city drivers. There’s already a 64-hp gasoline version, but Mitsubishi says the all-electric motor will have better acceleration and improved performance.

The partnership could be the i MiEV’s first step on its way to American drivers.