Optimal Energy, a South African tech company, will debut their latest electric car Joule at the Geneva Motor Show next month. The Joule concept was first unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October 2008.

The five-seater will be hand-built when it goes into production in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The electric car will be built with a 65 kW motor producing 280 Nm (207 lb-ft) of torque. With the 36 kWh Lithium-ion battery the car will have a range of approximately 300 kilometers (186 miles).  The battery can be recharged with the on-board charger, letting the car be plugged into a standard outlet.

“The EV market is expected to grow exponentially over the next decades, and owning an EV brand will increase South Africa’s role substantially,” said Optimal Energy CEO Kobus Meiring.  “It is Optimal Energy’s vision to lead the EV industry in South Africa and to expand globally, and as a flexible company with no legacy investments in outdated technologies, we have the opportunity to position Joule uniquely in an awakening market.”

A domestic test fleet in Africa is also planned for the Joule before it can be launched globally. Larger volume sales could then begin in 2013.

The Joule electric car is priced at around 235,000 South African Rand, or roughly $30,700.