Joule at Geneva: SA Car FanOptimal Energy's Joule is on display at the 80th International Motor Show in Geneva and she's looking prettier than ever.

When last seen at the Paris Motor Show, the Joule was a static display model and she has now evolved into a pre-production prototype courtesy of Zagato's Total Design Centre.

The Optimal Energy-Zagato-Helfet team has made a number of changes to Joule and the car shown in Geneva is somewhat different, especially at the rear, from the version that was unveiled in Paris two years ago.

This car was hand-built in Port Elizabeth by Hi-Tech Automotive who are building a marketing and test fleet of approximately 100 vehicles, some of which will be on SA roads by the start of the Soccer World Cup.

SA Car Fan reports that full-scale production of the Joule will begin at the end of 2012, with cars on showroom floors by mid-2013.

"Design goals include a range of 230 kilometres based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) or 300 km using the Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS); integration with existing charging infrastructure; a genuine freeway cruising capability; seating for five; a 4-star NCAP safety rating and a retail price of €24 300, or roughly R260 000 at today’s exchange rate."

"Optimal Energy has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with EDAG, a German automotive full service supplier, to industrialise the Joule. EDAG has built an outstanding reputation working with many well known carmakers over the past 40 years, and in partnering with EDAG, Optimal Energy is ensuring that the best of German automotive engineering will be integrated into the series production Joule."

Another Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with a South Korean lithium battery cell provider, Energy Innovation Group, to explore setting up a manufacturing facility in SA.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will be providing "appropriate support" to ensure that the manufacture of Joule and related components, as well testing facilities will be located in the country.

These are all major tick marks against Optimal Energy's plan to establish a local EV industry and then expand globally. Bring it on!