The Joule electric car was unveiled at the Paris Auto Show in 2008. This electric car is being developed by South African company, Optimal Energy. If you are looking for this car for sale you’re going to have to wait a while.
Mass production of the Joule is only expected to begin in 2012, most likely at a plant in East London, South Africa. The CEO of Optimal Energy has said that East London looked like a good site for its production plant. The plant will have an annual capacity of 50 000 units. Exports of the Joule will begin in 2013. 80% of the produced vehicles are expected to be exported overseas. The key aspect of the Joule, is its lithium battery technology. The batteries can last for 10 years, the lifespan of a car. It’s not viable to change the battery halfway through its life cycle. The Joule has been described as an urban transporter and not a car suitable for long trips. The car can accelerate from 0 – 100 km/h under 15 seconds and has a top speed of 135 km/h. The Joule has a range of 300 km. Europe and the USA are seen as the key markets for this car. It will be a while before you find one of these cars to buy in the classifieds. I also wonder if this car will be very popular in South Africa.
Related Link:
Optimal Energy – Official Website
Comments