After a successful introduction, production of large lithium-ion batteries for the Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric car are expected to leap by 50 per cent compared to the original plans.
Reports in The Nikkei suggest that GS Yuasa Corporation and others will boost production of the batteries as part of Lithium Energy Japan, a joint venture with Mitsubishi Motors and Mitsubishi Corporation. Batteries for 2,000 cars were produced at its Shiga Prefecture factory in the fiscal year 2009, and the initial plan was to increase this to 6,000 cars in 2010 – however, this has now been upwardly revised again to 7,000 cars.
However, in addition to this number, GS Yuasa itself will now manufacture batteries for the i-MiEV at its Kyoto Factory. The original plans are for 2,000 cars during 2010 – taking the total to 9,000 cars from Lithium Energy Japan, a 50 per cent increase on the original plans for the year.
The Mitsubishi i-MiEV will be made available for general sales in Japan from April, and with orders doing well the car manufacturer has decided to increase its planned output. The increase in battery production is expected to correspond with an increase in i-MiEV production.
