The South African auto manufacturer Optimal Energy had unveiled the electric car Joule at the Geneva Motor Show this year. The Joule is a plug-in, all-electric car that will be hand-built as it is scheduled to go into production in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The Joule concept first made its debut at the Paris Motor Show in October 2008.

The car has been designed by Keith Helfet, and has been turned into a near-production vehicle with help from Zagato’s Total Design Center. Compared to the concept, the new Joule features new styling and equipments. The prototype car on display has been hand-built by Hi-Tech Automotive, and is one of the 100 prototypes that will be built for testing, development, and marketing purposes. The car is scheduled to enter full-scale production in late 2012. Parts shall be supplied by Germany’s EDAG and South Korea’s Energy Innovation Group will supply the batteries.

As for the specifications, the car includes a 36 kWh tractio battery, a regenerative braking system and a high strength steel chassis. The electric motor shall deliver 75 kW (101 hp/102 PS) and 280 Nm (207 lb-ft) of torque. The 0 to 100 km/hr mark shall be achieved in less than 15 seconds with a top speed of 135 km/hr (84 miles per hour). The maximum battery range for the Joule is 230 km (143 miles) based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) or 300 km (186 miles) using the Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS). If the battery gets completely drained, owners need to plug the car into a single-phase 230 V/16A outlet.

The Joule will go on sale in Europe in mid-2013. The price is roughly €24,300.