Fuji Heavy Industries — the parent company of Subaru — has announced that it will begin producing its R1e electric vehicle in 2009, a full year ahead of schedule. The all-electric vehicle — which uses a lithium-ion battery pack co-developed with the Tokyo Electric Power Company — has a range of 50 miles and a top speed of 62 mph.
Prices have yet to be release for the 2009 Japan-only model, but FHI says it hopes to get the price down to $17,500 by 2012 or 2013. As mass production of the lithium-ion batteries ramps up, the car’s cost could drop to $13,000.
Although the 50 mile range isn’t awe-inspiring, the car’s battery pack can achieve an 80% charge in only 8 minutes.
FHI plans to only sell about 100 of the R1es annually in Japan.
