Create a system that can quickly provide MMC electric vehicles to disaster-stricken areas in the event of a disaster

MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORPORATION

Outlander PHEV

Outline

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) is promoting a ``DENDO community support program '' aiming to create a system that can promptly provide MMC electric vehicles to disaster-stricken local governments in the event of a disaster. MMC aims to enter into disaster cooperation agreements with local governments throughout Japan.

In recent years, extreme weather-related disasters have occurred frequently, and it is feared that climate change will increase the frequency and severity of weather disasters in the future.
It aims to eliminate the time loss of confirming required information with the local government in the event of a disaster, and to deliver MMC electric vehicles that can be used for power supply etc. to the disaster-affected areas and evacuation zones in a timely manner.
MMC want to contribute to enhancing the resilience of Japan utilizing PHEV, which can be used as power sources for a long time, in addition to driving performance on rough roads.

Description

To cope with disasters, MMC will implement DENDO Community Support Program, which aims to create system to quickly provide MMC electric vehicles to local governments in affected areas. MMC aims to enter into disaster cooperation agreements with local governments throughout Japan by fiscal 2022.

The purpose of the agreements is to eliminate time to confirm required information with local governments when disasters occur, and to quickly provide disaster-affected areas, evacuation zones, and other places with MMC's electric vehicles that can be used as power sources.

In September 2012, MMC concluded a disaster cooperation agreement with Kyoto Prefecture (Pref.), its local dealer and two other partner companies. As of March 18, 2020, agreements were signed with a total of 38 local governments. Thus, MMC plans to implement DENDO Community Support Program to expand the disaster support system throughout Japan utilizing Outlander PHEV, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.

When the Great East Japan Earthquake, Kumamoto Earthquake, 2018 West Japan Floods, Hokkaido Eastern Iburi Earthquake, and other disasters occurred, MMC worked together with affiliated dealers to lend Outlander PHEVs and i-MiEV electric vehicles to affected local governments at no cost. These vehicles were used to transport supplies and personnel, and to supply power to devices that require electricity, among other uses. Recently, in the event of a large-scale power outage in Chiba Prefecture due to Typhoon No. 15 in 2019, Outlander PHEV were also used to power the nursing home and city hall.

Outlander PHEV also has features of being able to traverse rough roads with its twin motor 4WD system, and to store electricity generated by the engine in its high-capacity drive battery to be supplied externally when needed. Because of these features, local governments and companies have been increasingly utilizing Outlander PHEV when disasters occur in recent years.

Working together with local governments and affiliated dealers throughout Japan, MMC will continue working to create infrastructure that allows people to live with peace of mind.

Partner(s)

Local governments and affiliated dealers throughout Japan.
Pajero Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

Supplementary information

■ Mitsubishi Motors’ press release
Mitsubishi Motors to partner with local governments throughout Japan to quickly provide electric vehicles when disasters occur, 2019/8/30
https://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/newsrelease/2019/detail1214.html