How Subaru’s New EVs Will Be Lighter And Faster Than Its Rivals

There are several reasons why Subaru's next-generation electric vehicles will be lighter, more efficient, and more powerful than its rivals. I recently reported that Subaru Corporation entered into a new agreement with AISIN for its new EV eAxles. 

Subaru's new EVs with the eAxles are scheduled to arrive in 2025. I will share new information from Automotive News (by subscription) with customers.

Related Content: Subaru's Next-Gen EVs - Joins Forces With AISIN For Compact Lightweight Performance

1. Smaller, More Efficiency And Power 

AISIN says the eAxles designed for Subaru's small vehicles will be 40 percent smaller than those of rival suppliers. The medium-size drivetrain is envisioned as 30 percent more efficient than rivals. The large unit for premium vehicles is expected to produce double the power of competitors' offerings.

2. Lower Costs

Subaru and AISIN will collaborate on an upcoming project to optimize parts supply and production efficiency and improve the cost competitiveness of Subaru's future EVs.

3. Subaru Keeps Brand Identity

Subaru says the new drivetrains will also be tailored to Subaru's brand identity, as its new electric all-wheel-drive models will "preserve its suburban outdoorsy-eco niche in the age of EV commoditization."

"The design will consider the environments in which customers will use their cars," a Subaru spokeswoman said. "For example, in cold climates, it is natural for road surfaces to be slippery, making it difficult to control vehicles as expected. To address this, we will work to achieve optimal power distribution, both in terms of hardware and control."

4. Subaru's EV Plan

In January, I reported that Subaru opened a sizeable global research and development center at its manufacturing hub north of Tokyo. Automotive News says the center is expected to help Subaru halve product development lead times and costs while enabling it to halve the number of parts and production processes.

Related Story: New Report - Subaru Just Made A Huge Leap In The Global Race To Electrify Its AWD Lineup

Subaru's in-house EV production in Japan will start in 2025 on a line with an annual capacity of about 200,000 vehicles. Around 2027, Subaru will add another line dedicated to EV production in Japan with an additional capacity of 200,000. 

Subaru plans to invest $10.3 billion in electrification by 2030. That sum does not include the Innovation Hub but covers $1.7 billion already announced for retooling domestic production.

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5. Subaru Plans To Localize EV Output In The U.S.

Atsushi Osaki told reporters at a meeting in Tokyo in September that the Japanese automaker is still considering where in the U.S. it will produce its new EVs.

"The time to make a decision is coming close," Osaki said, without saying whether the company was considering building a new factory or adding to or revamping existing production lines in the U.S. factory in Lafayette, Indiana.

Subaru has now identified Panasonic Energy as its battery supplier for its expanded line of EVs. Check out my report here.

Related Story: Subaru And Panasonic Collaborate For New Hybrid And EV Batteries; New Models Are Coming

I am Denis Flierl, the top Subaru reporter since 2012. I’ve invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand, and I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis on the Subaru page. Follow me on my The Dirty Subaru website, Dirty Subaru blog, X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Subaru