Subaru will be launching an all-electric crossover within the next half-decade.
A Japanese news source — Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun — reported that the automaker is working on an electric, mid-size utility vehicle. The style of the car will be inspired by either the Forester or Outback.
A Fuji Heavy Industries — which owns Subaru — spokesperson commented on the matter, and said the company is not sure on whether or not it has decided to begin working on an all-electric vehicle.
The electric crossover is part of a larger company initiative to make vehicles more environmentally friendly and cost efficient within the Subaru Global Platform. The 2017 Subaru Impreza is part of this platform, as well as an upcoming 2018 plug-in hybrid that will unload zero fuel emissions.
The initiative will include all gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and all-electric vehicles. Subaru is likely appeasing expanding regulations to reduce carbon emissions in the U.S.
While the move will help make the streets healthier for all, hybrids don’t guarantee profitability. Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) recently reported underwhelming second-quarter results.
Over the first six months of its fiscal year, Tesla only delivered 30,000 vehicles. The company hopes to be selling 500,000 electric vehicle a year by 2018.
Other electric vehicles that may one day rival Tesla include the Faraday Future, which has 1,000 horsepower, four engines and goes from zero to 60 in three seconds.
General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) has also dipped its toes into the future of the automotive industry with the Chevy Bolt, an all-electric vehicle that will retail for about $30,000, slate for a 2017 release.
