Optimal Energy

Battery Power - Go

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

What do the Rooivalk military helicopter, the SALT telescope in Sutherland and the Joule electric car have in common? An ingenious engineer: Kobus Meiring, now CEO of Optimal Energy.

SA electric vehicle hopeful aims to start production in late 2010 - Engineering News

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

South Africa's electric vehicle aspirant, Optimal Energy, aims to start production of the Joule towards the end of 2010, says the company's executive manager for marketing Diana Blake.

"We are currently evaluating different site options in South Africa, and we are talking to potential manufacturing partners"

She says the company will consider a joint venture with a vehicle manufacturer and retailer, should the "proper synergies" exist.

SA's home-grown electric six-seater may be ready in time for world cup kick-off - GQ Cars

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Hushed conversations and speculations, but the Joule was finally revealed in Cape Town. This all-eleetric car is a wholly South African initiative from Optimal Energy headed by Kobtis Meiring, who was also in charge of the SALT (Southern African Large Telescope) project in Sutherland. The Joule project is privately funded with financial backing from the government.

Joules & Gems - South Africa Intrementation & Control

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In a column we published recently technology futurist, Jim Pinto, made the point: "Green is going mainstream". ln summary, companies are learning to make their profit by helping the environment rather than destroying it. Capital is shifting towards making green (the colour of money) through going green. Automakers are finally getting serious about hybrids, expanding offerings and retooling gas-guzzling pickup trucks and SUVs as hybrids. This is a point of interest in a South African context. Everyone has heard of General Motors and Toyota, both of whom plan to launch their plug-in hybrids by 2010. But how many have heard of a company called Optimal Energy? Founded in 2005, the Cape Town based organisation describes its vision as: "Leading the revolution in sustainable mobility through imagineering optimal electric vehicle product solutions for a better tomorrow.

Joule, the South African electric car

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

This morning we went to Optimal Energy in Cape Town to meet with CEO Kobus Meiring for a presentation of the South African electric car A.K.A. Joule.

Africa joining the electric car craze, with Optimal Energy's Joule

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The entire world hopes to start driving electric cars soon, and Africa, despite its reputation for poor economies, is no exception. Luckily, a South African company called Optimal Energy is working to release a vehicle in 2010.

Innovation Fund backs climate change mitigation projects - Engineering News

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Innovation Fund, which falls under the aegis of the Department of Science and Technology, has supported eight climate change mitigation projects during its 2007/8 financial year, with a combined investment value of R80,8-million.

'Elektriese karre hou nie bedreiging in' - Sake24

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Kaapstad. – Die begin van die einde van die binnebrandenjin is in sig, maar die toetrede van elektriese voertuie sal ’n stadige proses wees en sal nie ’n bedreiging vir bestaande motorvervaardigers wees nie.

Joule is ‘cool’, maar wat van Eskom? - Die Burger

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Ek wil graag vir Kobus Meiring, ’n mede-ingenieurstudent van destyds, gelukwens met die innovasie van die elektriese motor die Joule en die bekendstelling daarvan in Parys.

Electric cars need speed in incentives from state - Business Report

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Oil companies, vehicle manufacturers and the politicians they support have used many a trick to defend the internal combustion engine against competition from more efficient and cleaner vehicle technologies over the decades.

Africa‘s first all-electric car unveiled in Paris - The Herald

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

IN a major step forward for alternative energy-driven vehicles, a Cape Town company has unveiled an electric-powered car, the Joule.

Optimal Energy, which is privately owned and specialises in optimal solutions for urban transport, revealed plans to launch Africa‘s first all-electric vehicle at the Paris Motor Show last week.

First local electric car puts SA on 'green' map - The Herald

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

ELECTRICITY may be one of South Africa's biggest problems, but it also may hold the key to helping the Rainbow Nation go green.

South Africa's first electric car has been crafted on a shoestring budget by a small team of experts, including mechanical engineer Matthew Kirby, electrical engineer Kate McWilliams, and interior manager Shamiel Johnson, who are all from Port Elizabeth.

SA’s ‘plug-in’ car set to hit the road in 2010 - Dispatch Online

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

SOUTH Africa’s first fully functional electric car – the Joule – was unveiled at the annual Paris Motor Show yesterday.

The zero-emission, six-seater utility vehicle, which was developed by privately owned SA company Optimal Energy, is expected to go on sale in 2010.

SA's first electric car - iafrica.com

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Fuel prices are just ridiculous. Carbon dioxide emissions are screwing up the planet. Whichever way you look at it, the days of petrol-powered cars are numbered. Electric cars are the way of the future. Most prominently General Motors are developing the Volt, designed to run purely on electricity from on-board batteries for up to 64 km, due in the US by 2010.

Africa's first all-electric vehicle unveiled at Paris Motor Show - Engineeringnews.co.za

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Cape Town-based transport solution firm Optimal Energy has revealed its intention to launch Africa's first all electric, zero-emission vehicle.

The six-seater multi-purpose vehicle, named 'Joule', has been hailed as a celebration of South African engineering ingenuity and will make its global debut at the prestigious Paris Motor Show this month.

SA-built battery car for Paris auto show - motoring.co.za

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A South African-designed and assembled battery car capable of carrying six people will be among the glamour and glitter of the 2008 Paris auto show that will open to the public on Saturday.

Zero Emission, Electric Auto to Hit African Streets - ae-africa.com

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Cape Town-based Optimal Energy has launched Africa’s first all-electric, zero-emission vehicle, dubbed Joule, to be presented in the Paris Motor Show.

DST gives electric car R35m

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Department of Science and Technology's Innovation Fund has contributed R35 million of the R50 million needed to develop SA's first electric car that will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show later this week.

Cleanly powering SA into global car market - Business Day

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

JOULE, SA’s first fully functional electric car, will be unveiled in Paris this week at the start of the annual motor show.

A South African designed six-seater electric car is to be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show - The Citizen

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A South African designed six-seater electric car is to be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show by Science and Technology Minister Mosibudi Mangena on Thursday.

Department spokesman Nhlanhla Nyide said on Mon

Joule powers SA to Paris Show - Car Today

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The upcoming Paris Motor Show will be the stage upon which South Africa will launch its first locally-produced electric car. Dubbed the Joule, this six-seater electric car will be unveiled by Technology Minister Mosibudi Mangena in France this week.