Subaru will start selling the Plug-In Stella EV in Japan next July

Although Volkswagen and other big carmakers say electric cars will not be feasible until some years from now, Subaru has taken a step ahead and will start to offer to Japanese customers an electric car. Called Plug-In Stella EV, the car is based on the Stella, already for sale in Japan, and will cost 4,725,000 yen (something around US$ 50,000). Subaru expects to sell 170 units up to March 2010.



The price, as it often happens with electric cars, will have a subsidy of 1,380,000 yen (a little more than US$ 14,000) and may reach a final price of 3,345,000 yen (almost US$ 35,000).

The new Subaru Plug-In Stella EV is 3.40 m long, 1.48 m wide and 1.66 m high. Although it seems tiny, it weighs 1,010 kg. This is due to the weight of lithium-ion batteries. Top speed is 100 km/h, with a range of 90 km. The batteries can have 80% of their charges in 15 minutes with a quick charging system. In regular use, it takes the batteries 8 hours to recharge in a 110V outlet and 5 hours on a 220V outlet. The electric engine generates 47 kW (64 bhp) and 170 Nm.

Source: Subaru