Edmunds drives the Subaru Stella electric car
Subaru Stella EV - Click above for gallery
In spite of Tesla's claims that the Model S will be the "world's first mass produced EV", the Subara Stella EV is going on sale to retail customers in Japan this summer. Subaru started production of 170 Stella EVs recently, within days of Mitsubishi launching the iMiEV.
None of us here at ABG have had the chance yet to try Subaru's new EV, but Inside Line sampled it this week. Unfortunately, the tiny Stella has a similar price tag to the iMiEV at $47,900, but that drops down to $29,000 after a wide array of subsidies.
The Subaru has a smaller battery at 9.2 kWh which yields a nominal range of just 55 miles. The Stella's interior is snug but the torquey electric motor means that it accelerates off the line quickly, getting to 40 mph in just four seconds. The top speed is limited to 60 mph to keep the batteries from overheating. The car can be quick charged to 80 percent in 15 minutes at special high power charging stations. Edmunds concludes that cost and range remain big issues, but the age of the EV is most certainly beginning.
Gallery: Subaru Stella EV
[Source: Inside Line]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
gorr 4:16PM (6/18/2009)
Again , money for big oil from a normal car compagny associated with taxmoney hacks. Consumers and taxpayers should ask themself some questions. As soon as you pay them, you end-up been asked to pay more because with the money they hired politicians to charge you money till you die of starvation. Since the sixties normal workers have lost 70% of their available income, now this money is coming back as treats on anythings that move and breath. They start again the old gimmicks of killing peoples not registered with this cartel. To be part of this cartel you just have to tax energy and licks as& all day long, each days year long with anti-energy wishs. All that because they never learn to f*ck normally with religious songs into their heads like it was invented long long time ago. Remember that they don't have an idea for the future of manking religiously, socially, artistically, commercially, biospherrially, energiticcally, etc. All they can envision is to tax and steal and mimick secretly the bums in the streets that listen rock and roll and drive a motorcycle. Remember too that in the past bums rejected them so the faults might be both sides but actual inventions put into all hands can bring back some energy feels.
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kert 4:46PM (6/18/2009)
Mitsubishi just announced they'll have a cost-optimized Miev out in 2012, with targetted base $31K price, without any subsidies.
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Dave 5:47PM (6/18/2009)
Got any more information on the Mitsubishi announcement?
By 2012 we should start seeing EVs become a lot more widespread from the rumors that are floating around...
Lazybones 8:30PM (6/18/2009)
You want to keep your eye on this mob
http://www.lightningcarcompany.co.uk/nanosafe.php
The Lightning GT will be the first EV to use the new Nanosafe battery technology. If it performs remotely close to its expectations it will fix the 2 main problems with EV. Charge times and Battery life.
kert 3:41AM (6/19/2009)
http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story.asp?StoryId={2FA7540A-8A10-4F23-BDA3-B47108DF80BF}
3-million yen price by 2012, by utilizing smaller/chaper battery
Bill 6:10AM (6/19/2009)
"9.2 kWh which yields a nominal range of just 55 miles."
They must be draining the battery dry - not good for longevity with any battery chemistry.
How long is the warranty on that battery?
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