Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced that operation of the 15 i-MiEV 100-percent electric vehicles (EV) delivered to the EV car sharing part of the "Lyon Confluence" smart community demonstration project has commenced in Lyon, France. The Lyon Confluence Project is to be developed by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), a Japanese public agency promoting research and development as well as the dissemination of energy, environmental and industrial technologies, partnering with Toshiba Corporation and Toshiba Solutions Corporation (Toshiba consortium).

The 15 MMC-supplied i-MiEVs were delivered to Proxiway, a local business in Lyon, France, specializing in car sharing. These vehicles, part of a total 30-car fleet will be used among residents and businesses through the SUNMOOV' car-sharing service provided by Proxiway in the Lyon Confluence area for over two years.

The EV car-sharing system task aims to resolve issues which may arise as a result of urban redevelopment including traffic congestion, lack of parking space, and vehicle emissions, according to MMC. In addition the car sharing system aims to introduce and demonstrate renewable energy management systems such as photovoltaic power generation monitoring, energy generation forecasting, as well as efficient EV charging control.

The scope of the Lyon Confluence Project is to create a model city for a futuristic smart community, introduce Japanese companies' technologies, contribute to global society, and acquire feedback on its feasibility and findings. In order to accomplish these objectives, four tasks will be carried out in the project for demonstrating various technologies and operations involved in building a smart community:

• Development of a Positive Energy Building.

• Deployment of an electric vehicle sharing system.

• Installation of systems to help residents manage energy consumption.

• Creation of a Community Management System.

The Toshiba Consortium, chosen as leading contractors by NEDO is carrying out the project cooperating with partner companies in France, as a coordinator for the Japanese companies, according to the automaker.