Subaru to double the battery range on its electric car concept

Posted on November 11, 2007
Filed Under Concept Car News, Subaru

Subaru recently released a vastly improved second cut at a plug-in battery-electric commuter car. It seems that the 65-kilowatt, 5-seater G4e’s new high energy-density lithium-ion batteries gives it a 200km range from a charge and with the help of a quick-charger it can reach up to 80% in just 15 minutes.

With 40 units of Subaru’s older EV R1e battery-electric vehicle already out and being evaluated by TEPCO’s regional sales team and local government officials, the constructor also announced the launch of an updated 5-door model with more than twice the range thanks to advances in lithium-ion battery technology.

The G4E which apparently stands for “Good 4 Earth” has a 65kw maintenance-free electric motor. The aerodynamically-efficient exterior helps to get the most from the battery pack, which is located under the floor of the vehicle to keep a low, stable center of gravity.

As for the range and charging times are currently bugbears of plug-in battery-electric vehicles and Subaru has taken a strong step forward in this ares by using a new high-capacity vanadium battery material which will load two to three times more lithium ions onto the positive battery terminal.

A normal full charge takes around 8 hours to reach full capacity, which will deliver around 200km of normal driving. Subaru has also developed a quick-charger that would allow the battery to be brought up to 80% charge in around 15 minutes. The company envisages that such quick-chargers could be easily located in carparks outside supermarkets and other public facilities. As you can see , energy per mile is a lot cheaper than a gasoline.

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Comments

9 Responses to “Subaru to double the battery range on its electric car concept”

curly on November 11th, 2007 3:33 pm

I HATE electric cars!When you think about it they’re not even that “green”.I mean the electricity is made by burning coal and oil.The only difference is that you don’t directly pollute the planet.But you still do!
kent beuchert on November 11th, 2007 5:09 pm

Unfortunately, charging at high rate will make the expensive batteries deteriorate much faster,
and fast recharging to get another measley 160 km
won’t make trips much more convenient. You’ll have to stop at least every 140 km or so to ensure finding a recharge station – that’s about once every hour or so. Stopping 10 times for a 700 mile day trip seems painfully excessive.
ken moreau on November 12th, 2007 12:32 am

When is Subaru going to manufacture a convertible for sale in the USA?
The Cost of Energy » Blog Archive » The EV X-factor on November 12th, 2007 6:38 pm

[...] Subaru to double the battery range on its electric car concept: Subaru recently released a vastly improved second cut at a plug-in battery-electric commuter car. It seems that the 65-kilowatt, 5-seater G4e’s new high energy-density lithium-ion batteries gives it a 200km range from a charge and with the help of a quick-charger it can reach up to 80% in just 15 minutes. [...]
Matt Caldwell on March 17th, 2008 4:22 pm

Most people will drive their cars less than 50 or so miles a day. How many people REALLY drive more than that? This car would be perfect for many people. If you really can’t live without the ability to drive more than 200 KM a day, then it could be a second car.
As for polluting the environment because the electricity comes from coal fired power plants… this would cause less pollution than if you simply drove a gas guzzling car. Besides that, who amongst you want to keep filling the pockets of those rich middle eastern oil nations??? Or the oil companies who keep having more and more record profits at OUR expense?
Think about it.
Chris on May 18th, 2008 5:47 pm

I drive over 150 miles per day. It would be great if they had a car I could purchase that would make sense. The gas prices is putting me out of business.
Gas
daniel on May 27th, 2008 4:45 am

Curly is dumb or has a vested interest in oil. Huge coal fired power stations cannot be switched off like a light so they run at about 80% at night even though nobody needs that power. I’ve heard reliable report that 3 million cars could be charged overnight in California without adding 1 pound more CO2 to the atmosphere.
daniel on May 27th, 2008 4:54 am

[img]http://www.daughtersoftiresias.org/greenwiki/Image:WellToWheel.jpg[/img]
nevin on May 27th, 2008 8:59 pm

Ya,coal power station is the real problem.