Press release
Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the maker of Subaru automobiles, today announced the successful development of a prototype of its Subaru Plug-in Stella electric vehicle (EV), which will be introduced this summer in Japan. FHI will provide the Ministry of the Environment, Japan with fifteen units of the Plug-in Stella prototype for verification test which will be conducted by five prefectural and city governments.
Introduced in 2006, the Stella was originally designed for Japan's minicar market. The normal version is sold with an inline, 4-cylinder, 660ccand continuously variable transmission.
Compared to previous EV prototypes however, this new one improves driving performance by increasing power output from 40kW to 47kW and further enhances its efficiency by lightening the body weight and fine-tuning output management. In addition to the optimization and downsizing of the battery pack design, it receives a new instrument panel and interior design.
Specifications of a production EV model, which will be introduced this summer, are basically identical to those of this model.
On Test in Japan
FHI has been researching the lithium ion battery technology, which has attracted attention as a future power source, and a next generation EV powered by those batteries. It has jointly developed the Subaru R1e with Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc. since June 2006.
Making good use of the R1e's EV system and know-how, FHI successfully developed a Subaru Plug-in Stella Concept in June 2008. Five units of this EV were provided for use of Hokkaido Toyako Summit and the Japan Post group for use in mail collection and delivery.
FHI plans to test-market production EV models from July this year in Japan and around 170 units of EV are planned to be delivered during this fiscal year. Pricing, selling system and after-sales service are now under study.
photo:Subaru
Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the maker of Subaru automobiles, today announced the successful development of a prototype of its Subaru Plug-in Stella electric vehicle (EV), which will be introduced this summer in Japan. FHI will provide the Ministry of the Environment, Japan with fifteen units of the Plug-in Stella prototype for verification test which will be conducted by five prefectural and city governments.
Introduced in 2006, the Stella was originally designed for Japan's minicar market. The normal version is sold with an inline, 4-cylinder, 660ccand continuously variable transmission.
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Compared to previous EV prototypes however, this new one improves driving performance by increasing power output from 40kW to 47kW and further enhances its efficiency by lightening the body weight and fine-tuning output management. In addition to the optimization and downsizing of the battery pack design, it receives a new instrument panel and interior design.
Specifications of a production EV model, which will be introduced this summer, are basically identical to those of this model.
On Test in Japan
FHI has been researching the lithium ion battery technology, which has attracted attention as a future power source, and a next generation EV powered by those batteries. It has jointly developed the Subaru R1e with Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc. since June 2006.
Making good use of the R1e's EV system and know-how, FHI successfully developed a Subaru Plug-in Stella Concept in June 2008. Five units of this EV were provided for use of Hokkaido Toyako Summit and the Japan Post group for use in mail collection and delivery.
FHI plans to test-market production EV models from July this year in Japan and around 170 units of EV are planned to be delivered during this fiscal year. Pricing, selling system and after-sales service are now under study.
photo:Subaru
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