Subaru ramps up EV plans
Japanese car-maker claims more than 40 per cent of all its vehicles will be electrified by 2030Subaru has set in motion ambitious plans that will see it begin electrifying every model in its line-up as part of a target to make 40 per cent its global sales either pure-electric or hybrid vehicles by 2030.
Until now, the car-maker has been slow to embrace electrification, the first examples of which will be the Subaru XV Hybrid and Forester Hybrid AWD models, powered by a mild-hybrid eBoxer powertrain, in March.
However, now Subaru has announced it is working with its major shareholder Toyota to co-develop a battery-powered SUV that's set to be launched in 2025.
Revealing a mock-up at a media event in Japan, the concept vehicle set to inspire Subaru's first zero-emission SUV looks more like a rakish SUV-coupe with rugged styling and a distinct lack of ground clearance.
Featuring oversized black protective wheel-arch cladding, sharp creases and an aggressive nose, the battery-powered SUV revealed late last night could also herald a new design direction for Subaru.
Toyota will also lend a hand in the development of Subaru's hybrids, says the car-maker, to help it catch up with its rivals.
In the future, Toyota's two-motor hybrid system will be adapted to work with Subaru's flat-four boxer and all-wheel drive layout, with two electric motors mounted behind the engine.
As well as slashing its carbon footprint for markets for Europe, the Japanese car-maker announced at the media briefing that by 2050 it will slash its average well-to-wheel emissions by 90 per cent compared to 2010.
Further investment in safety, meanwhile, would reduce occupant fatalities involving its vehicles to zero by 2030, claimed Subaru bosses.
Despite drawing criticism for being slow to introduce electrified vehicles, Subaru CEO Tomomi Nakamura told journalists that being cautious was the right move for a small car-maker in markets like North America.
"I think that the market for electrified vehicles will take some more time to form in the US," he said.
"Only Tesla's EVs are selling well. We need to watch carefully how the market trend will change, going forward. But I think a trend toward electrified vehicles will emerge, without doubt, so we would like to make preparations for that."
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