The latest news about Optimal Energy, Joule - The electric car

The world’s largest sporting event will kick off in Johannesburg on the 11th of June 2010. This is the first time that the best football teams in the world will compete live for the title of world champions on South African soil.

Since driving my first electric vehicle in 1993 - one of 100 BMW E30 (three series)  conversions used by the Post Office in Munich, Germany - I have been fascinated by the petrol versus electricity argument. The issue is particularly interesting in the context of countries like South Africa, where the bulk of electricity is generated by coal-fired power stations, so-called "dirty electricity."

The Geneva International Motor Show is widely regarded as the best motor show in Europe. This is not based on size as Frankfurt is the largest show, but rather in terms of raw prestige as manufacturers go to Geneva to show off their most exclusive new products.

The updated Joule show car was recently displayed in South Africa for the first time since its debut at the Geneva International Motor Show earlier this year.

Grahamstown - Not only will the Joule, South Africa's first electric car, be manufactured in the country and create about 10 000 job opportunities, it will be available as soon as the middle of 2013.

Local product life-style man- agment (PLM) specialist CNC Design Consultants (CDC) has teamed up with vehicle producer Optimal Energy in the design of the first South African electrical car, the Joule.