Subaru R1e
The underlying specifications of the R1e include an electric motor that produces the equivalent of 54 horsepower, which is about the same as what the regular gas-powered R1 makes. Its battery pack affords the car a small-ish range of 50 miles, but the car can be recharged to 80-percent capacity in just eight minutes. A full charge takes about six hours. Despite the low range, Subaru says that the car has
a lifespan of about 120,000 miles or ten years.
Subaru has been testing its R1e, all-electric city car. The diminutive two-seater, about 20 inches longer than a Smart ForTwo, has a top speed of 65 miles per hour. The real innovation of the R1e could be the car’s rapid recharging system also developed with NEC. The system promises a full recharge of the 346-volt lithium ion battery pack in about 15 minutes or less. Subaru has about 40 R1e electric cars in fleets in Japan, and has been evaluating two R1es in the United States, working in collaboration with the New York Power Authority.
Prices and Irish release dates not yet available