Fisker Ocean electric SUV now on sale

Californian electric car company Fisker has opened the order books for its new Ocean EV – and it costs less than $600!

However, only a handful of customers will be able to buy the car and it won’t be available until 2022.

When the Fisker Ocean electric SUV makes its global debut in January 2020, it will cost $US379 ($A560) per month as part of a subscription-style lease program, which covers everything required to operate and maintain the vehicle.

Fisker says insurance and servicing and a 30,000-mile (48,000km) annual driving distance are covered, and that customers decide the duration of their Fisker Ocean subscription.

"As an industry first, a customer can return the vehicle in one month, eight months, 22 months or several years," said Fisker release.

"No long-term contracts, with 30,000 miles per year included," says the company, although it isn't clear if that includes charging costs.

Everything will be facilitated through its mobile app, including a $US2999 ($US4400) 'initiation and activation' fee required to prep and deliver the Fisker Ocean.

However, the US EV-maker concedes that it will sell "a very limited number of vehicles in response to numerous global customer requests for a purchase option," with pricing to be confirmed next month.

Although the Fisker Ocean EV hasn't been officially green-lit for Australia, the company has previously stated that it wants to offer the car to Australian customers and the reservation website lists Australia as one of the eligible regions.

It costs $US250 ($A360) to reserve a vehicle – slightly more than for the Tesla Cybertruck – and Fisker says Ocean EV production will commence in 2021 ahead of first customer deliveries in 2022.

Powered by an 80kWh battery that provides a cruising range of around 480km or 300 miles, the Fisker Ocean incorporates two electric motors and offers “ample towing capability” along with a new patent pending 'California' mode that offers convertible style driving.

Touted as the world's most sustainable vehicle, it features solar panels on the roof which will provide an estimated 1000 miles (1600km) extra driving range per annum.

Several elements of the vehicle have been manufactured from recycled materials, including the carpets (nylon, ocean plastics) and vegan interior upholstery with eco-suede and dinamica (T-shirts).

Fisker is also crowing about repurposing rubber waste, but doesn't say where the material is used on the vehicle.

The US car-maker underwent a 'relaunch' of sorts in late 2016 when former Aston Martin and BMW designer Henrik Fisker resurrected the brand after it went bankrupt 2012, having sold around 2000 Fisker Karma EV sports cars.

"Our mission is to become the number one e-mobility service provider on Earth, featuring the world’s most desirable and sustainable vehicles while shaking up the old automotive industry model," said Henrik Fisker, chairman and CEO of Fisker Inc.

While the Fisker monthly leasing program is not new, with Lynk&Co offering a similar service, Fisker claims its app-based program is an industry-first because it delivers a one-stop shop for customers.

"People around the globe will be able to obtain the Fisker Ocean starting at $379 per month via our mobile app in 2022,” said the company. “We created five easy-to-choose option packages for Fisker Ocean that will be available to our reservation holders closer to the end of 2020.

"This removes the complexity of complicated option configurators and allows Fisker to offer more unique experiences for less money.

"Customers will be able to see the vehicles and option packages when we begin rolling out our experience centers in shopping districts and airports, as well as book test drives through our app closer to the start of production."

The 2022 Fisker Ocean will compete against vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz EQC, Ford Mustang Mach-E and the seven-seat Tesla Model Y to name a few.