7.9  Japan 

• 7.9.1.  Nissan
  
  
  • See Part 2, The Last 100 Years, Section 3.3. (Nissan 1947).
    
    
  • In 1996 Nissan produced the Prairie Joy Electric Vehicle, which was powered by lithium-ion batteries.
    
    
  • Between 1998 and 2000 Nissan made about 130 Altra EV station wagons powered by Li-ion batteries.
    
    
  • The vehicle had a maximum range of 190 km (120 miles) and a top speed of just over 75 kph (47 mph).
    
    
  • By 1998 Nissan had produced an ultra-small electric two-seater vehicle called the Hypermini. Between 1999 and 2001 about 219 were manufactured.
    
    
  • It had a top speed of 100 kph (62.5 mph) and a maximum range of 115 km (72 miles). 
    

• 7.9.2. Honda
  
  
  • Between 1997 and 1999 Honda produced about 300 of their 66hp “EV Plus” cars. The car was fitted with 24 12V NiMh batteries and had a maximum range of about 110 miles (180 km).
    
    
  • Its top speed was about 80 mph (130 kph) and could accelerate from 0-30 mph in 4.9 secs. 
    
    
  • It was the first  production EV to use Nickel Metal Hydride batteries and the first EV to have a range of over 100 miles.
    
    
  • Work ceased on the EV Plus in 1999 when Honda decided to start work on its hybrid electric vehicles. 
    

• 7.9.3. Toyota
  
  
  • Between 1997 and 2002 Toyota produced about 1,250  of their battery powered  “RAV4EV” cars. 
    
    
  • Production peaked in 1998 when about 359 were produced.
    
    
  • The car had a top speed of 78 mph (126kph), and a maximum range of 120 miles (190 km). It was fitted with 24 12 V NiMH batteries. 

• 7.9.4. Mitsubishi 

• In 2006 Mitsubishi Motors produced a research electric car called the Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle (i-MiEV).
  
  
• The car is powered by a 47 kW motor and is fitted with a 330V, 16 kWh or 20 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
  
  
• It has a top speed of 130 kph (81 mph) and a maximum range of up to 130 km (81 miles) or 160 km (99 miles), dependant on which battery pack is fitted. 

• 7.9.5. Keio University 
  
  
  • In 2004 an eight-wheeled, lithium ion battery powered concept car, called the Eliica Electric was produced by Keio University and Hiroshi Shimizu.
    
    
  • The car could accelerate from 0-60 mph (96 kph) in 4 seconds. The A model had a top speed of 230 mph (368 kph) and a range of 125 miles (200 km).
    
    
  • The B model had a top speed of 118 mph (189 kph) and a range of 200 miles (320 km).