Subaru might be best-known for their all-wheel drive technologies and horizontally-opposed boxer engines, but the Japanese carmaker has announced its plans to “apply electrification technologies to all Subaru vehicles sold worldwide” by mid-2030s, in a technology briefing held in Tokyo.
The news comes as Subaru and Toyota strengthened their capital ties back in September last year. The partnership will see the two brands jointly developing a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) platform.
The first BEV from the joint effort will arrive sometime later in the decade according to Reuters, who was in attendance at the meeting. However, Subaru is also planning to develop a “strong hybrid” using Toyota technology, also to be released around the same timeframe.
Subaru Chief Technical Officer, Tetsuo Onuki said at the briefing, “Although we’re using Toyota technology, we want to make hybrids that are distinctly Subaru.
“It’s not only about reducing CO2 emissions. We need to further improve vehicle safety and the performance of our all-wheel drive,” he added.
As part of the same announcement, Subaru also plans to make at least 40% of its global sales hybrid or EVs. The company also plans to reduce well-to-wheel CO2 emissions from new vehicles sold worldwide by at least 90% by 2050, compared to 2010 levels.
Subaru has already developed its own e-Boxer hybrid powertrain, pairing the iconic Boxer engine to a electric motor. The e-Boxer powertrain is currently available on the XV and Forester.
Subaru President, Tomomi Nakamura said, “With the aim of making Subaru different from other brands, we will further hone the distinctive qualities that make a Subaru a Subaru, maintaining the unique attributes our customers have come to expect.
“At the same time, as we work to fulfill our social responsibilities, including the protection of the global environment, we will leverage Subaru’s unique character and technological innovation to contribute to the creation of a carbon-free society,” Nakamura added.
