What Kind of Electric Vehicles is Subaru Designing and When Will They Be Available?
Subaru's collaboration with Toyota will produce a stable of large and mid-size electric SUVs, the first of which is expected to hit the market in the summer of 2022. Toyota's contributions to this initiative lie in the battery technology, specifically the solid-state battery pack expected to power Subaru's EVs. Solid-state batteries yield a quicker charging time and greater driving range on a single charge than the lithium-ion battery pack found in many an EV, meaning Subaru's incoming innovations may very well set a new industry standard for electric automation.
As for what Subaru diehards can expect from its first fully electric vehicle, the upcoming SUV will boast some of Toyota's patented technology while embodying Subaru's key tenets. In other words, the brand's first EV will put safety first, offer a riveting ride and a low center of gravity, and include all-weather and off-road capability. Much like the 2022 BRZ sports coupe Subaru and Toyota recently developed together, this new electric SUV's measurables will be similar to those of the fan-favourite Forester. The first Subaru EV will be tailor-made for those who commute in and around the city with regularity, thanks to a continuously variable transmission that makes for seamless shifts and steering-wheel paddle shifters providing a responsive drive. All-wheel drive will come standard on one of the electric SUV's trims for those who love hitting the trails, with a front-wheel drive option available to city slickers.
While Subaru's joint venture into the electric vehicle segment with Toyota was announced some time ago, the brand recently brought its designs one step closer to reality by giving its long-awaited electric SUV a name: Solterra. The aptly named Subaru EV may owe some of its hardware to Toyota, but like its future stablemates, it will boldly carry the Subaru name and set a new standard for electric automation.
