Subaru is the latest automaker to take aim at trying to meet stricter U.S. emissions regulations. The Japanese manufacturer announced that they plan to release an all-wheel-drive, all-electric crossover in the states by the year 2021. It is expected to be a mid-sized vehicle based on either the Forester or Outback and ride on the new Global Platform that Fuji Heavy Industries, Subaru's parent company, unveiled earlier this year.
Subaru says this new chassis is 70 to 100 percent more rigid than their current platforms, meaning less vibration will travel through the vehicle. It also offers 40 percent greater impact energy absorption, should the vehicle be in a crash. The new Global Platform is scheduled to be used for a wide range of revamped models, beginning with the redesigned Impreza which was introduced to the public earlier in 2016.
But Masato Saito, spokesman for Fuji Heavy, said that no final decision has been made to utilize this platform on an AWD mid-side crossover EV.
"We have yet to decide on any specifics at the moment," Saito said.
However, Saito did say that if Subaru did decide to create such a vehicle, it would ride on the Global Platform and they would target the North American market. The Global Platform will underpin all of Subaru's models going forward, as it is designed to accommodate gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and all-electric drivetrains.
With fuel economy standards in the United States becoming more and more stringent, Subaru has been trying to deliver ways to make their crossover and SUV-heavy lineup more fuel efficient to stay competitive in their biggest market. But while an all-electric Subaru may be a few years off, Subaru has already disclosed that they plan to introduce their first plug-in hybrid to meet U.S. zero emissions standards that will take effect in 2018.
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