The Joule is a 6-seater hatchback, designed by Optimal Energy, a privately-owned South African company based in Cape Town that specializes in urban transportation. The exterior and interior design is the work of Jaguar XJ220 designer, Keith Helfet. The Joule is expected to have a 120 mile range with the option of expanding that to 240 miles.

Joule’s first assembly plant is expected to be in Gauteng, South Africa. Joule will be sold in all major South African centers; Gauteng, Cape Town and Durban and will be available towards the end of 2010. The company intends to distribute on a global scale shortly afterward. You can see a neat video on the Joule here.