Mitsubishi has announced that has plans to sell small electric cars in USA. The vehicle, powered by a lithium-ion battery, will be launched first in Japan. A hybrid version of the car also might be available.

The electric car is the way to go because it has zero emissions. "Fuel cell technology is still off in the future. Diesels are big in Europe but not in Japan and the U.S."

Mitsubishi has been testing hybrid and electric cars in Japan. In January, it unveiled a hybrid concept at the Detroit auto show. The Concept-CT MIEV is smaller than the Lancer. It has four doors, all-wheel drive and a 1.1-liter gasoline engine. Each wheel has its own electric motor. The electric motors provide awd without a traditional transmission, thus cutting weight.

The production version of the concept might be based on the next-generation Colt, which is due before the end of 2007.