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Recharge Wrap-up: Electric trucking, Mitsubishi plug-in sales boost

A company called Oakridge Global Energy Solutions is providing batteries to Minnesota's Freedom Trucking. Oakridge claims the electric freight trucks can haul nearly 40 tons of cargo almost 400 miles on a single charge. "The custom battery design for Freedom Trucking is an absolute game changer," says Oakridge CEO Steve Barber. The Melbourne, Florida-based startup also says it is providing lithium-ion batteries for Harley-Davidson, Indian, and Victory motorcycles. (Notably, Oakridge was accused last year of failing to pay its employees. Also, of note, Oakridge trades as OGES on OTCQX, the same over-the-counter market as Elio Motors.) Read more from Energy Matters. A new UK poll suggests that nearly a third of drivers would choose a plug-in vehicle for their company car. 23 percent of respondents said they'd choose a plug-in hybrid for their fleet car, while 8.2 percent would choose a battery electric vehicle. Another 7.1 would choose a conventional hybrid, and 47.2 percent still prefer diesel, while only 12.4 percent would choose gasoline (it is, after all, the UK). In all, the poll (with an admittedly small sampling of 282 respondents) shows that alternatively powered vehicles will make up 40.4 percent of future fleet orders will. A recent survey from KPMG shows that 79 percent of auto executives believe hybrids will be the go-to powertrain in 2030. Read more from Fleet News. A reduction in plug-in car subsidies has boosted Mitsubishi's UK sales in February. As the Plug-In Car Grant was set to reduce from GBP5,000 to GBP2,500 ( from about $7,117 to $3,559) on March 1, Mitsubishi saw a run on its Outlander PHEV by customers looking to take advantage of the larger subsidy. Outlander PHEV sales were up 41 percent compared to a year before. The launch of the L200 Series 5 also helped Mitsubishi's performance in February, as pickup truck sales were up 34 percent. Read more in the press release below. PLUG-IN CAR GRANT CHANGE DRIVES MITSUBISHI SALES IN FEBRUARY CIRENCESTER – Sales of Mitsubishi vehicles in February were up 28 per cent compared to the same month last year according to figures released by the SMMT. The rise was driven by a 41 per cent increase in sales of the Outlander PHEV, ahead of the reduction in the Plug-in Car Grant from GBP5,000 to GBP2,500 beginning March 1. The UK's favourite plug-in continues lead the hybrid and electric car sector in 2016.

Investigators say Mitsubishi mpg scandal was 'collective failure'

Investigators hired by Mitsubishi Motors to probe why the Japanese automaker engaged in falsifying fuel-economy figures for the past quarter-century faulted the company's "corporate culture." Specifically, there was a lack of unity between divisions, company-wide pressure to boost fuel-efficiency numbers, and an unwillingness to accept fuel-economy shortfalls, Automotive News says, citing comments made by consultants who hired by the company to investigate the problems. Challenging management authority even if it was proper to do so was also frowned upon. One of the investigators called the scandal "a collective failure." Among other suggestions, the consultants recommended that Mitsubishi's vehicle-mileage certification be independent from research and development, that there's greater transparency overall, and that there's a more thorough understanding of laws. New shareholder Nissan may also invest in retooling Mitsubishi's R&D operations, and is sending one of its former executives, Mitsuhiko Yamashita, to Mitsubishi to try to prevent any sort of repeat problems. Mitsubishi joined a list of automakers including Volkswagen, Hyundai/Kia, and Ford that have been found in recent years to either mislead with its published fuel-efficiency figures or emissions-testing procedures. A Nissan spokesman declined to comment on the Mitsubishi report, according to Automotive News. The recommendation comes less than three months after the announcement that Nissan would help rescue Mitsubishi from its fuel-economy scandal by acquiring part of the company. Nissan agreed in May to pay $2.2 billion for a 34-percent stake in Mitsubishi, and said at the time that Mitsubishi would join the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Nissan also owns 15 percent of France-based Renault. That announcement came right after Mitsubishi's admission that it may have falsified fuel-economy data for every one of its vehicles made in Japan dating back to 1991. Related Video: News Source: Automotive NewsImage Credit: Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images Green Mitsubishi Nissan Fuel Efficiency scandal diesel scandal

Mitsubishi bringing Concept XR-PHEV II to Geneva

Head to the Geneva Motor Show this year and you'll see what could very well be the next production Mitsubishi. Though dubbed a "concept," the XR-PHEV II is clearly closer to being ready for production than the first XR-PHEV concept it showcased in Toyko back in 2013. Spindly as they may be, this one actually has side mirrors, the bodywork is a little toned down compared to the previous concept, there are actual openings in the grille, and you can actually see what looks like a functional interior through the windows. Overall the shape of this urban crossover looks promising, reminding us a bit of the Lamborghini Urus concept crossed with a Lancer Evo. But at least as important is what's under the hood. That's where Mitsubishi has placed its latest plug-in hybrid powertrain. The system includes an electric motor good for 160 horsepower, juiced by a 12-kWh battery. Strangely, the Japanese automaker hasn't specified what it's mated to, exactly, except to say that it's a MIVEC engine – those being the letters Mitsubishi uses for its variable valve timing system and utilized on gasoline and diesel engines ranging from 1.0 to 3.8 liters and from three cylinders to six. The previous concept, however, utilized a 1.1-liter turbo three with 134 hp on tap. It looks like we'll have to wait closer to its debut for further details and photos, but for now you can scope out all there is to know so far in the press release below. MITSUBISHI MOTORS AT 2015 GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTORSHOW Feb 25, 2015 TOKYO - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will unveil the global debut of the Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV II[1] as well as the European premiere of the L200[2] pick-up truck at the 85th Geneva International Motor Show[3]. The Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV II is a small SUV powered by a new plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV) system and the all-new L200 is due to go on sale in Europe this summer. The Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV II is a small SUV concept expected to be MMC's second PHEV following the Outlander PHEV launched in the UK in April, 2014. The new PHEV system presented in the Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV II is a lightweight, compact and high-efficiency front-engine/front-drive system ideal for an urban crossover. The system is estimated to achieve very low CO2 emissions of below 40 g/km, among the lowest of any PHEV, while also delivering gutsy and smooth performance with excellent response with its 163PS electric motor.