OUR CHEAP ELECTRIC I-MIEVS ARE BROKEN! HOW WE WILL REPAIR THEM

EV Channels Review

This episode of the Out of Spec Podcast details the repair process for two Mitsubishi i-MiEVs, focusing on diagnosing and fixing battery issues. The host, Alex, successfully revived one i-MiEV by replacing a weak cell with a short, which had discharged to a critically low voltage. While the repaired vehicle is functional, concerns remain about its high internal resistance potentially leading to issues under load. The second i-MiEV is expected to be in better condition. The discussion highlights the i-MiEV's unique Lithium Manganese Oxide (LMO) battery chemistry, noting its good low-temperature performance but lower energy density compared to modern chemistries like NMC or LFP. The episode also touches on the vehicle's compact size, K-car-like specifications, and the surprising inclusion of DC fast charging (CHAdeMO) on some models, despite their small 16 kWh battery. The acquisition cost of $500 for both vehicles is noted, with repair costs primarily involving time and replacement cells. Future plans for the i-MiEVs include potential battery upgrades and modifications.