TOKYO - Mitsubishi Motors said it will partner with two California utilities in real-world tests of the i MIEV electric car in the U.S.

The Japanese automaker announced agreements with Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas and Electric, which will test the four-passenger EV on California roads. Mitsubishi has been conducting similar tests in its home market with a number of Japanese utilities, and plans to begin selling a production version of the i MIEV in Japan next summer.

The i MIEV, which was displayed earlier this year at the 2008 New York Auto Show, uses an advanced lithium-ion battery pack developed in cooperation with Japanese battery maker Yuasa. It can run up to 100 miles on a single charge.