SA's Joule is shining

Last September there was a flurry of blogging about South Africa's homegrown electric car, the Joule, which is due to be in mass production by 2012. And a prototype was on show at last month's climate change conference. According to the Cape Town based company developing the multi-purpose vehicle, South Africans can look forward to pilot fleets of Joule on their roads and around the globe from 2010 onwards. Kobus Meiring, CEO of Optimal Energy:

Optimal Energy is capitalising on South Africa’s technological prowess, its track record of building premium cars for the export market, the current sea of change in transport technology brought about by climate change, pollution and energy security issues, and the immense progress in battery technology. Optimal Energy aims to place South Africa at the frontline of the renewable energy movement with Joule. This investment helps us to drive the industrialisation process, taking us to the next level.

And not a moment too soon, given the slowdown in traditional car sales that is hitting the local car assembly plants. Meiring believes the economic crisis won't delay the launch:

Interest in the vehicle has been enormous both at a local and international level. The timing of this investment and the planned 2012 start of volume production is ideal. Current market conditions are slowing down the traditional manufacturers’ efforts while the market, especially for clean vehicles, is predicted to be in a strong upward swing from 2012 onwards.

I see this as a great example of leapfrogging technology. While mainstream motor manufacturers are focusing on hybrid vehicles, there needs to be much stronger effort in developing vehicles that are completely independent of fossil fuels. While most of South Africa's electricity comes from coal, the beauty of electric vehicles is the ability of the owner to choose the energy source - if you charge this car from solar panels, its operation will be completely emissions-free. As I wrote last week, it's best to avoid buying a car altogether, but sometimes it just can't be helped.

Comments

[Duncan Drennan]

I quite like what this guy did, convert a old vehicle into an electric vehicle at a low cost.

I'm interested in trying that out myself...

[Rory Williams]

I am also wanting to convert a car, but wouldn't attempt it myself, so let me know if you hear of anyone doing it. It is by far the most environmentally benign option, but eventually any car will need to be replaced, so it's good to see that electric vehicles are finally being developed.

I am sure there will eventually be lots of conversion kits. There is one I read about in Europe - a company that will convert your car for you, and I met someone in South Africa who is thinking of starting such a venture.