Electric vehicles are set to feature at this year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV could become the star attraction.

Eight cars have been entered in the Electric Division for the “Race to the Clouds” on July 8, including the diminutive i-MiEV Prototype.

The car is based on the production version of Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV model and the first all-electric car to go into mass production for Europe, Japan and North America.

Interestingly, the i-MiEV prototype will use the same components as the series production version. Following the race, Mitsubishi will evaluate those parts for durability and reliability for their ongoing ‘EV’ development.

Behind the wheel of the i-MiEV prototype will be Japanese driver Hiroshi Masuoka, a veteran of 21 Dakar rallies, with wins in 2002 and 2003 in a Mitsubishi Pajero and Pajero Evo.

Mitsubishi’s development team will also be joined at the event by engineers from the various i-MiEV partners including motors, batteries and other specialised components for greater collaboration on future projects such as plug-in hybrid EVs.