Even if the news is not official, the latest reports are saying that the Japanese automaker, Mitsubishi, has plans to unveil an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) at the Tokyo motor show at the end of October and into the beginning of the next month. The diamond star electric car will first be revealed as a concept followed by an all new production version that will be in dealerships by the end of 2010.

The new Mitsubishi EREV will be a compact crossover, similar in size to the Toyota RAV4->ke370 and will use a drive train similar to Chevrolet's E-Flex->ke2721 platform on which the Volt is built with its 660 cc three cylinder gasoline engine acting exclusively as a generator that produces electricity to charge the EREV’s 21st century lithium-ion batteries.

The new Mitsubishi will not limit owners to around town commuting. Acting exclusively on electric power, and producing zero emissions, the EREV will have a range of 40 miles. However if you don't mind polluting in the most efficient manner possible, you can travel up to 200 miles while using the generator to restore energy to the batteries.

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