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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.
The new prototype
model improved driving performance by increasing power output from 40kW
in the previous model to 47kW and further enhanced 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 changed the 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.
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 “Subaru Plug-in
STELLA Concept” in June 2008, and 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.
 FHI
pursues the perfect integration of a pleasant and reliable driving with
environmental considerations in its vehicle development philosophy. Not
to mention enhanced improvement of the current power unit line-up, FHI
positions EVs as one of viable solutions and key technologies for
environmental preservation, and it will further research and develop its
EVs.
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