The Subaru R1e is making its first US appearance at the New York Auto Show this week and will be even more visible in the Big Apple this summer when a pair of the small battery powered cars will go into service with the New York Power Authority for a real world evaluation.
The R1e is derived from the Japanese market R1 mini-car. Subaru developed the R1e in cooperation with Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). The normal internal combustion engine is replaced by a 40kW permanent magnet AC motor. Energy is stored in a new advanced lithium ion battery.
The battery is capable of charging up to 80 percent capacity in 15 minutes. A full charge can be achieved overnight from a standard 110V AC outlet. The performance and capacity of the electric powertrain are limited but adequate for urban use.
Maximum speed of the R1e is only 65mph and the range is a mere 50 miles. However, in an environment like New York City where streets are crowded and distances are actually relatively short, an electric car of this type has the potential to be very useful.
The congestion and stop start driving patterns prevalent in Manhattan allow plenty of opportunity for regenerative braking, extending the useful range. The new battery design is being developed by Subaru for use in pure battery electric, hybrid electric and fuel cell vehicles.
The battery is expected to have a useful lifespan of 10 years and 130,000 miles. Similar to most other lithium batteries being developed for automotive applications, the cells are constructed in laminated flat package. This layout allows for greater packaging flexibility and increased surface area for cooling.
A fleet of forty R1e prototypes have been running in the TEPCO fleet since 2006. During 2009, Subaru will build 100 more R1es for a consumer test program to be conducted in Japan. The company has previously indicated a desire to have a battery electric vehicle available for retail sales early in the next decade.
