Subaru R1e and G4e EVs: This Company Is Not Just Rich In Racing Heritage

2008 Subaru R1e Concept

Just the other day I reported on the Subaru STi marking it’s 20^th anniversary with the opening of a dedicated museum to anything and everything STi. With that, I thought that this would be a good time to look at the other side of Subaru; a company that is regarded in the U.S. mostly for their all-wheel drive systems and turbocharged boxer engines. This is also a company known around the world for their rally-racing heritage, but did you know they are also heavily invested in the electric vehicle (EV) market too?

Yes, Subaru has been making strides since 2005 to come out with a marketable EV. One of the better-known models is the R1e, which is based on the R1 minicar sold abroad. An interesting side note: the R1 was compared in marketing collateral to the Subaru 360, which happens to be the first production Subaru. The R1e is the experimental version that uses fast-charge lithium ion batteries and has the ability to “quick-charge” to 80 percent capacity in about 15 minutes using quick-charge technology. It is actually an impressive little machine with a top speed limited to 65 mph and an estimated range of 50 miles. Over the last couple of years the R1e has been tested in programs around the world including: Japan, London and NYC. In fact, be sure to check out the video at the end of this article for a glimpse into how the New York Power Authority is helping Subaru test these vehicles.

2007 Subaru G4e Concept

A sister car to the R1e is the G4e, which some say has a more modern and edgy look that fits better into the style of today. The G4e nameplate stands for ‘Green for the Earth’ and some also speculate that the ‘e’ could be a code for the concept being electric (similar to the R1e). The most notable improvement is the newly developed lithium ion battery that will allow the G4e to travel approximately 200 km (125 miles) on a single charge. Of course, this car also has the quick-charge technology that will allow a consumer to charge the battery to an 80 percent charge in about 15 minutes. Other improvements consist of rear-view cameras mounted in the A-pillars (eliminates the need for side mirrors) and a reduced drag coefficient from the R1e.

So what is the catch? Like a lot of promising EV technology, there isn’t a lot of information on when, where or how these EVs will come to market. What we do know is that the EV market is just getting on a roll and if Subaru’s participation is any indication, then we can look forward to some exciting automotive developments in the coming years.

Be sure to check out the video I mentioned below:

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[Source: Edmunds, GreenCarVideos.net, AutoTrader.ca]