This week at the New York International Auto Show Subaru will announce that their small electric vehicle, the R1e, will be evaluated by the New York Power Authority all summer. Of course, the Subaru R1e will be on show at the NYIAS.
The Subaru R1e is not a new car, it has been thoroughly tested in Japan where it has won the ‘2006 Commendation For Global Warming Prevention Activity’ award. The 2+2 small car has been developed by Subaru, Tokyo Electric Power and NEC Lamilion Energy. Tokyo Electric Power hopes to have 3,000 R1e's on the Kanagawa prefecture roads by 2012.
The R1e electric vehicle has a range of 50 miles, roughly a quarter of the Tesla Roadster which went into production yesterday, but can be 'quick charged' in 15 minutes to 80% capacity (40 miles). A full recharge requires a regular power outlet, takes 8 hours and should cost no more than USD 2.
The Subaru R1e is powered by a 40 kW / 53 hp, AC permanent magnet synchronized electric engine and capable of a tops speed of 65 mph. The lithium-ion batteries are designed in layers to allow for easy recycling at the end of their 10 year life span.
Subaru to Evaluate Quick Charge Electric Car with New York Power Authority – 50-mile Charge Costs Less Than $2 Dollars – 80-Percent Re-Charge in 15 Minutes
NEW YORK, March 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru today announced that it would begin evaluating its R1e electric vehicle (EV) in the United States this summer. The Subaru R1e will be on display at the New York International Auto Show, from March 21-30 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center.
Based on the Subaru R1 minicar sold in Japan, the R1e was developed by Subaru in partnership with the Tokyo Electric Power Company, Inc. (TEPCO).
The utility has been testing a fleet of R1e electric cars since 2006. As part of a U.S. Test program, two of the Subaru R1e electric cars will join the New York Power Authority (NYPA) fleet.
“This new partnership with the New York Power Authority is further demonstration of Subaru’s ongoing efforts in applying electric car technology in real world situations. Along with our newly introduced diesel powered cars, electric cars are a viable response to our need to improve fuel consumption and carbon output,” said Tim Mahoney, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Subaru of America, Inc. “The R1e electrical vehicles are designed for city dwellers looking for an environmentally friendly and fun to drive alternative to gas powered cars.”
“This joint venture with Subaru builds on the New York Power Authority’s extensive involvement with clean transportation and gives us the opportunity to offer the latest in electric drive technologies to our customers,” Roger B. Kelley, president and chief executive officer, New York Power Authority.
The Subaru R1e employs state-of-the-art, fast-charge lithium ion battery technology that eliminates typical lithium ion battery issues of charge memory loss, allowing partial charges and quick charges that do not decrease battery life. The two-seat Subaru R1e is capable of driving at speeds up to 65 mph with a range of up to 50 miles, making it an ideal urban commuter. The Subaru R1e can be “quick-charged” to 80 percent capacity in only 15 minutes using quick-charge technology. The vehicle can be fully charged overnight (eight hours) while connected to a standard household electrical outlet. The R1e uses an AC permanent magnet synchronized motor producing 40 kW.
“Subaru’s goal is to become the leading brand in the electric vehicle market,” said Ikuo Mori, president, Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. “The R1e is an example of today’s cutting edge battery technology, while the Subaru G4e Concept Car shows a glimpse into the future of electric cars.”
There are currently 40 Subaru R1e vehicles in use and Subaru parent Fuji Heavy Industries will place an additional 100 electric vehicles for test marketing in Japan in 2009. Subaru is focusing on the development of new battery technology for future power train applications. Compared with nickel metal hydride or nickel-hydrogen battery technology, lithium-ion battery technology offers a number of advantages, among them easier packaging, higher power density and better cooling for longer life.
Service life for the high-density lithium-ion battery is estimated at 10 years and 100,000 miles, another environmental benefit of Subaru technology. The battery pack is also designed to be easily recycled. The laminated battery packs are flat, rather than cylindrical, offering EV manufacturers wide latitude in vehicle design and packaging. The battery’s basic design and composition consist of laminate, manganese, and lithium ion.
bristol411s3
March 18, 2008 1:23:59 PM
2006 Commendation For Global Warming Prevention Activity Award? Wow. So this car has managed to effect the activities of the sun and somehow managed to stave of the impact of El Nina? Then surely we should all be driving them and never mind that many economies produce the electricity that powers it using fossil fuels...
in the usa the production of electricty is very efficient, although coal may not be the cleanest burning fuel in the world. on the upside the usa has coal, we don't have to buy it from abroad. regarding the car, 50 miles?!?! you want me to get excited about a car with the range of a golf cart with a higher top speed?
wow "cost no more than USD 2" I know this is a typo... but damn that would be sweet. As to the car, it's more attractive then any other super small car I have seen. If the price came in anywhere between $2000-$10000. I would probably ditch my car. I don't drive far, and I hate paying $60 a tank. Also, with the abundance of electrical outputs for car block heaters in my city, they are the equivalent to hundreds of thousands of free gas stations.
I've driven the gasoline powered car in Japan and it is a great car. The Japanese have really figured out how to design large space in a small package.
2006 Commendation For Global Warming Prevention Activity Award? Wow. So this car has managed to effect the activities of the sun and somehow managed to stave of the impact of El Nina? Then surely we should all be driving them and never mind that many economies produce the electricity that powers it using fossil fuels...