Subaru R1e: 2008 New York Auto Show

Now that lithium-ion batteries exist, manufacturers are willing to take the risk of actually letting people drive all-electric cars. Forty Subaru R1e hatchbacks are motoring around Tokyo as we speak, as part of a partnership with the Tokyo Electric Power Company. Today in New York, Subaru announced it's giving two of these tiny, electric-powered subcompacts to the New York Power Authority.



Obviously, this is not a money-making venture, and so Subaru didn't even bother to change the front fascia on the R1e, even though it's the memorable snout from the last of the previous-generation Imprezas. Actually, the company didn't even bother to make a left-hand-drive version.

Range is only 50 miles on the Subaru R1e, but Tim Mahoney, chief marketing officer for Subaru of America, said it can be recharged to 80-percent capacity in 15 minutes at a dedicated charging station. (Presumably, the NY Power Authority will be installing a couple of these.) You can do a full overnight recharge by plugging the R1e into a standard household outlet.



The lithium-ion battery provides juice for a 40kW electric motor. Top speed is 65 mph.



Mounted in the cargo bay, the lithium-ion battery is "easily recycled," according to Subaru, but it has an estimated lifespan of 10 years or 100,000 miles, so the company has some time on this issue anyway.

Although the specific use of the two NY-bound R1e hatchbacks has yet to be determined, one Subaru official speculated they might be turned over to the NYPD to use for patrol routes in Central Park.

Unquestionably, this is a very small step toward a future in which electric vehicles are a major player, but Subaru will build 100 more of these vehicles for a consumer test program in Japan next year. -- Erin Riches, Senior Editor, Inside Line

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• Posted by: Erin Riches March 20, 2008, 11:50 AM
• Categories: Green Tech, New York Auto Show, Subaru