Oregon renews Mitsubishi partnership for electric vehicles

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Gov. Ted Kulongoski announced Monday that he signed a new working agreement with Mitsubishi Motors North America that continues a partnership established last year to develop an electric car charging network and promote the use of electric vehicles.

The agreement renews the Memorandum of Understanding that Gov. Kulongoski signed with Mitsubishi last year. That partnership was Mitsubishi's first in the United States.

The renewal means that Mitsubishi will continue to be a partner in efforts related to an electric vehicle charging network, including testing along the I-5 corridor, and will support public education about electric vehicles. The agreement also stipulates that the state and Mitsubishi will take under consideration a price agreement that would allow public vehicle fleets to purchase Mitsubishi's i-MiEV at a negotiated cost.

“With the continued assistance from our private sector partners, including forward-thinking automakers like Mitsubishi Motors, we can create a reliable charging infrastructure and bring zero-emission vehicles to market for Oregon consumers,” said Gov. Kulongsoki in a press release.

Earlier this year, members of the Kulongoski administration met with Mistsubishi executives and test drove the i-MiEV in Okazaki, Japan. The i-MiEV went on sale in Japan in July of 2009. The company hopes to have the vehicle ready for purchase in the United States next year in target markets, including Oregon.