FHI and Tokyo Electric Power to Jointly Develop Electric Vehicles

Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), the maker of Subaru automobiles, and Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) have announced joint development of an electric vehicle (EV). The two companies will spend approximately one year designing and manufacturing the new EV for commercial uses, basing it on the Subaru R1e concept car. FHI is developing and manufacturing 10 prototype vehicles which TEPCO will use as part of its business and service fleet, and examine their performance and economic benefits.

Carbon dioxide emissions in the transportation industry increased in Japan during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2004 by 19.8% compared to 1991. It is regarded as an urgent issue industry-wide.

TEPCO has a large fleet and the company has set goals to reduce fuel consumption and introduce low-emission vehicles.

The EV project represents significant cooperation between TEPCO, a power company with strengths in developing electric charging systems for EVs, and FHI.

FHI plans to manufacture and market EVs by further improving on Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) batteries.

FHI will be in charge of producing the model, which will meet specifications determined by TEPCO, including fitting the dimensions of Japan's mini-cars, as well as a driving distance of 80 km per day.

After delivery FHI will monitor the daily-use performance data, plus economic benefits collected and analyzed by TEPCO.

FHI will examine optimal battery capacity and continue to develop lighter weight, lower cost EVs.

TEPCO will develop a rapid electric charger, capable of charging up to 80% of the battery within 15 minutes, capitalizing on its accumulated research and technology in electric charging systems.

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