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| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Cape Town, South Africa |
Key people | Kobus Meiring (CEO) Mike Lomberg (co-founder) |
| Products | Joule |
Number of employees | 60 + |
| Website | http://www.optimalenergy.co.za/ |
The Joule Elecric Vehicle is the first fully battery-powered electric vehicle to be produced in South Africa. It enters into the six-seater compact MPV segment alongside traditional Internal Combustion Engine Vehicle such as the Honda FR-V and the Fiat Multipla with a 3+3 seating configuration.
Unveiling
editThe Joule was first unveiled to the general public at the 2008 Paris Motor Show on October 2nd, 2008.
The Joule is the first electric car to be produced by Optimal Energy, the Cape Town based company has been working on the concept since 2005. The design of the car was done by legendary Jaguar car designer Keith Helfet. Keith is best known for the XJ220, and the F-type concept car. The Joule shows the same 'flowing lines' as his previous designs.
Kobus Meiring, Optimal Energy CEO suggests that sustainability of the Internal Combustion Engine vehicle has fuelled increasing need for sustainable vehicle propulsion systems. This, as well as increasing fuel prices and rising country taxes, caused Optimal Energy to embark on the production of a vehicle that could meet these needs.
Innvestment to Date
editThe funding up to this point has been through government investments, in particular, the South African Department of Science & Technology (DST) through the Innovation Fund, as well as other private investments. The Innovation Fund have so far invested up to US$5 million in the project, and are currenty the major investor.
Class
editThe Joule is classed as a compact MPV, along with the likes of the Renault Scenic, Honda FR-V and Citroën Picasso to name a few examples.
Specifications
editThe Joule has a some astonishing features despite its size
- Length - 3.8m (Shortest in class)
- Turning Circle - 10.2m (Best in Class)
- Mass - 945kg
- Seats - Six
- Boot space - 700 litres
- Top Speed - Governed at 130km/h
- Acceleration - 0-50km/h in 4.6 sec, 1-100km/h - 14 seconds
- Range - 200km if one battery pack is installed, 400km if two battery packs are used
- Charge time - Each battery charges from empty to fully charged in 7 hours maximum
Future
editThe Joule will be sold in South Africa in 2010, and later, will be released into the global market.
References
edit(1) http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article.php?a_id=143694
(2) http://www.news24.com/News24/Technology/News/0,,2-13-1443_2402729,00.html
(3) http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/10/01/paris-preview-south-african-joule-electric-mpv-to-debut/
(4) http://www.citizen.co.za/index/article.aspx?pDesc=79149,1,22
(5) http://www.thetimes.co.za/Business/BusinessTimes/Article1.aspx?id=854385
(6) http://www.greencars.za.net/a-lot-more-info-on-the-joule-sas-first-ev/
(7) http://www.moneyweb.co.za/mw/view/mw/en/page38?oid=228307