Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) announced it will loan two of its zero-emission, new-generation Mitsubishi i-MiEVs to the State of California for evaluation in their test fleet. The move comes as the Governor's office and the Department of General Services both expressed interest in the inclusion of electric vehicles (EV), such as the i-MiEV, into the State's support vehicle fleet.

During a May 24 press event, Governor Schwarzenegger was introduced to the Mitsubishi i-MiEV by company officers. Schwarzenegger sat in the i-MiEV, and later spoke to a panel of reporters about the battery electric vehicle being a representative of the technology necessary to tackle the sustainable transportation challenges facing the State of California.

Key committees within the California State Legislature seek to gain experience with battery electric transportation to help better understand and resolve the challenges facing the development of EV infrastructure. Lawmakers and officials will have these vehicles available for extended test-drives to learn the nuances of driving an EV and experience the recharging process.

The i-MiEV went on sale in Japan in July 2009. This efficiently-designed, battery electric, sub-compact vehicle seats four adults and can be recharged from a standard wall-socket. The State of California will be evaluating production model RHD Japanese Domestic Market versions of the i-MiEV. Mitsubishi Motors plans to introduce an EV for U.S. consumers in 2011.