South African Joule of the show

If you’re visiting the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland next month you can see South Africa’s very own all-electric car - Joule – taking centre stage at one of Europe's most important automotive industry events.

A plug-in, zero emission vehicle, the Joule on show gives a very strong indication of the final design and layout of the car when it goes on sale early in 2013.

However, South African motorists can also expect to spot Joule on local roads within months, as a fleet takes to our roads to gather technical feedback on the car and gauge public response. These cars, like the show car, will be hand-built in Port Elizabeth.

A gem of a centrepiece

Volume production for Joule will take place locally with key design goals including a range of 300 kilometres, a genuine freeway cruising capability, seating for five, a 5-Star NCAP safety rating and with a price tag of about R235 000.

Conceived by Cape Town-based Optimal Energy and originally designed by South African-born Keith Helfet, Joule has been refined by Zagato's Total Design Centre, and will form the centrepiece of a stand at Geneva shared by Optimal Energy and the iconic Milanese design house.

“We're extremely excited about Joule being displayed at Geneva,” says Optimal Energy's CEO Kobus Meiring. “With Optimal Energy, South Africa now also has its own OEM. The EV market is expected to grow exponentially over the next decades, and owning an EV brand will increase South Africa's role substantially.

“It is Optimal Energy's vision to lead the EV industry in South Africa and to expand globally,” he said.

There's even power from the sun

Optimal Energy is the only local automotive manufacturer focused exclusively on electric cars for the mass market. By harnessing both the latest technology and the best brains in the automotive and electrical spheres, Joule will be exceptionally energy-efficient from the cradle to the grave.

At its heart is an advanced 36 kWh traction battery, consisting of 15 modules, each module containing 30 Lithium-ion cells. The battery provides power to a synchronous permanent magnet motor capable of generating 65 kW of power and torque of 280 Nm.

An integrated, programmable on-board charger ensures that no external charging infrastructure is required and that charging can be synchronised with off-peak electricity. A holistic approach to energy regeneration and energy conservation (including an optional photovoltaic solar panel mounted on Joule's roof) will ensure that Joule takes advantage of all potential power sources.