Mitsubishi begins assembly of new Minicab EV in Indonesia

MANILA: The new Mitsubishi Minicab EV is now being produced at PT Mitsubishi Motors Krama Yudha Indonesia (MMKI).

According to Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, the kei-car class electric commercial vehicle will be rolled out in the Indonesian market in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023.

“In 2017, MMKI began production of the Xpander, which is now not only sold domestically in Indonesia, but also exported to support the development of the Indonesian auto industry. With the start of our first production of electric vehicles (EVs) overseas, we hope to meet the growing demand for EVs in the ASEAN region and at the same time contribute to the country's environmental initiatives,” Mitsubishi Motors Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Takao Kato stated.

The Minicab EV is a monobox design vehicle powered by the same EV system as the one in the i-MiEV, the first mass-produced EV ever. The EV components of the Minicab EV can be placed without compromising the vehicle's ample cargo space thanks to strategies like positioning the drive battery underneath the floor. The vehicle is also designed with a low center of gravity to offer excellent steering stability and a comfortable ride.

Prior to its upcoming launch in Indonesia, the new Minicab EV will first be available in Japan starting on Thursday. The Japan-spec model has a cruise range of 180 kilometers on a single charge. A standard charging at AC200V takes around 7.5 hours, while fast charging allows for the battery to be charged to up to 80 percent in just 42 minutes.

It also comes standard with active safety technologies such as forward collision mitigation system, lane departure warning, automatic high beam, and ultrasonic mis-acceleration mitigation system.

Mitsubishi Motors has launched the Minicab EV to help reduce carbon emissions in the last mile of commercial use as the demand for logistics-related and commercial EVs for sustainable business activities grows. The new model is also a part of the Japanese carmaker's efforts in achieving a carbon-neutral society.

Photos from Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

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