Optimal Energy

Översikt

Optimal Energy are developing South Africa's first battery electrically powered vehicle, the Joule. They aim to establish and lead an electric vehicle industry in South Africa and to expand globally.

Optimal Energy (Pty) Ltd is a privately owned South African company based in Cape Town and is headed-up by CEO Kobus Meiring. He founded Optimal Energy in 2005 with Mike Lomberg, Jian Swiegers and Gerhard Swart. An investment from the Innovation Fund (IF), an instrument of the Department of Science and Technology of the South African Government made this venture possible. The current shareholders in Optimal Energy comprise executive management, the IF and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) of South Africa.

The Vision

The world’s finite energy sources are being used inefficiently and urban transport plays a major role in energy wastage and the increase in climate changing pollution. Optimal Energy aims to change that by specialising in and delivering class leading solutions for urban transport. It is Optimal Energy’s vision to establish and lead an electric vehicle industry in South Africa and to expand globally.

Optimal Energy therefore capitalises on the opportunity presented by the exponential increase in oil costs and the dramatic improvement in the performance, price and lifecycle of batteries. This value proposition is made more compelling when environmental influencers such as increasing pollution, climate change and other phenomena caused by the rapid increase in urbanisation are considered. And most significantly the comparatively affordable technology required for the electric vehicles is ready now. A solution that produces zero emissions, the highest wheel-to-wheel efficiency and minimal lifecycle footprint. Better still, a solution that requires minimal support infrastructure.

The Team

Optimal Energy employs more than 100 staff and is expanding rapidly; 60% of the ever-growing team have University degrees, a substantial compliment of whom have both masters and PhDs. Their passion for renewable, clean energy is manifested in Joule, the company’s first product offering which is set to transform the face of the urban transportation landscape. Developed in association with Keith Helfet and a team of dedicated experts in Cape Town, the battery electric passenger vehicle is nothing short of a world-class innovative triumph.

The Joule

The silent passenger vehicle is manufactured as a standard five-seater which complies with UN-ECE safety standards offering an optimal, no-compromise, zero emission urban driving experience.

Joule is as beautiful and elegant as it is stylish with a classically timeless appeal set to transform the face of the urban transportation landscape. Developed from the outset as an electric vehicle, Joule delivers optimal design, maximum interior space and a minimal exterior and environmental footprint.

* Nominal 300km Range
* Regenerative ABS Braking system
* Steel space frame and side impact protection
* Excellent vehicle handling and dynamics
* Sports-like acceleration from standstill
* Optimal interior space with minimal exterior footprint

Cape Town Green Map
updated 02/2010 by urban sprout