With the price fuel continuing to increase along with concern over growing vehicle emissions, Subaru showed a possible solution to these issues at this year’s New York Auto Show.

The small car featured at the Subaru stand was the R1e, an electric version of the R1 minicar sold in Japan. Subaru is currently testing a fleet of these small 2-seat electric cars with the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). The R1e was developed in partnership with TEPCO, and the company has been testing these cars since 2006.

To further test the viability of these cars, Subaru will deliver two R1e cars to the New York Power Authority (NYPA) for use in its fleet.

“This new partnership with the New York Power Authority is further demonstration of Subaru’s ongoing efforts in applying electric car technology in real world situations. Along with our newly introduced diesel powered cars, electric cars are a viable response to our need to improve fuel consumption and carbon output,” said Tim Mahoney, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Subaru of America, Inc. “The R1e electrical vehicles are designed for city dwellers looking for an environmentally friendly and fun to drive alternative to gas powered cars.”

The R1e uses lithium-ion batteries that have been developed to accept a fast charge as well as adding the flexibility to allow partial charges and quick charges that do not decrease battery life.

The R1e can reach speeds up to 65 mph and has a range of 50 miles. Using Subaru’s “quick-charge” technology, the batteries can be charged to 80 percent capacity in just 15 minutes. A full charge takes about eight hours when plugged into a standard household outlet. Batteries are expected to have a service life of 10 years or 130,000 miles.

“Subaru’s goal is to become the leading brand in the electric vehicle market,” said Ikuo Mori, president, Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.