Mitsubishi Motor Corporation has developed a light motor vehicle fueled by both gasoline and compressed natural gas (CNG), and began selling it on October 10, 2007. The "Minicab Bi-fuel" is a light motor vehicle built up from the "Minicab Van", with its engine remodeled to work with CNG as well as gasoline. It is equipped with two compressed gas cylinders (28 liters each) under the rear seat.

When filled with only CNG, the vehicle exhaust is cleaner and the amount of emissions is less when compared with gasoline-fueled cars. However, energy consumption is much higher. In contrast, when fueled by both the CNG and gasoline, energy efficiency is drastically improved. Thus, the "Bi-fueled" car curbs carbon dioxide emissions, and when completely filled with both gasoline and CNG, the car is able to travel a maximum of eight hundreds kilometers (632 km by gasoline and 208 km by CNG).

Mitsubishi Motor hopes that this "Minicab Bi-fuel" will encourage consumer demand, particularly among those who have been putting off buying new vehicles.


http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/

Posted: 2008/02/08 09:23:02 AM
Japanese version

TAG Energy , Manufacturing industry , Transportation