Jalopnik: nissan ev

Nissan Leaf EV: The Electric Model T

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT

The Nissan Leaf EV graced the stage at the Tokyo Motor Show today. And while it didn't feature Carlos Ghosn's decapitated head, the mass-production electric vehicle is clearly more important.

The Leaf EV is the company's attempt to build and produce, on a large-scale, an electric car that can travel more than 100 miles on a charge and get the electric equivalent of 376 MPGe. After mostly missing the hybrid boat, Nissan has moved ahead on battery technology and plans to accept 20,000 reservations for the vehicle in the U.S. alone next year.

Details: The world's first EV designed for large-scale volume production
• High-performance, zero-emission power train and platform take the "joy of driving" to another dimension.
• A design that evokes a clean and intelligent image and a body that achieves optimal aerodynamics and wind noise characteristics are packaged into this innovative and original five-passenger, five-door hatchback.
• Has a range of more than 160km (100 miles) on one full charge, which is sufficient for most daily needs.
• Features an advanced IT system that is specially designed for zero-emission mobility. Navigation screen supports the driver by displaying range autonomy areas and battery-charging spots with a touch of a button.

Nissan Shows Off Versa-Flavored EV Platform

Ben Wojdyla — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EDT

To prove the black-and-white Nissan Cube isn't the only EV they're cooking up on the B-platform, Nissan's released one grainy image of a Nissan Tiida in electrified form. That's the Versa to us US buyers.

Jut in case you aren't too stoked at the idea of hopping into an EV Cube with your enviro-bros and hitting the wheat grass bar to talk about how evil corporations are, Nissan is developing other offerings on the B-platform beside the asymmetrical square prism. The Tiida is the Versa in the US, and rides on the same platform as the Cube, meaning electrification isn't a terribly complex task, this particular image of a test car, though on the low-resolution side, proves the point. So instead of hipster-chic you get bland and goofy geek. Happy EV buying.

NISSAN READIES ITS ELECTRIC VEHICLE PLATFORM
- All-electric car goes to market in U.S. and Japan in 2010 -
TOKYO (July 27, 2009) – Nissan Motor Co., Ltd today previewed its electric vehicle EV platform on a Tiida-based prototype to demonstrate the superior driving pleasure of a pure zero-emission vehicle. It also showcased a sophisticated EV-IT system developed to support electric driving 24/7 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).EV prototype based on the newly developed EV platform

Newly developed EV platform
The dedicated EV platform is comprised of a highly rigid body, high-performance motor, compact lithium-ion battery with high power output and energy capacity, delivering outstanding driving performance and safety, while offering a quiet and peaceful driving experience – a unique feature of a fully-electric drivetrain.

The in-house developed electric motor delivers 80kW/280Nm for high response and powerful acceleration. Nissan's unique motor control also contributes to the vehicle's seamless acceleration.

The 24kWh laminated compact lithium-ion battery pack is placed under the vehicle floor for more efficient packaging, without compromising cabin or cargo space. The battery layout also allows smooth underfloor air-flow which helps reduce drag. Additionally, the regenerative brake system employed to recharge the battery during deceleration and braking extends the driving range to more than 160km*1 under a full charge.

High durability is achieved by employing an additional frame for the battery pack to significantly improve the rigidity of the platform. The combination of a high rigidity platform and electric powertrain minimises vibration and external sounds to produce a quiet and pleasing drive.

EV-IT support function
Nissan has developed a sophisticated IT system for its zero-emission EVs, connecting the vehicle's on-board transmitting unit to a global data centre*2 to support EV driving 24 hours 7 days a week.

Usability and convenience for EV driving is achieved via the following:

Maximum range display

* With a simple touch of a button, the navigation map shows the driving radius within range under the current state of charge.
* The system can calculate if the vehicle is within range of a pre-set destination.

Update on charging stations

* The navigation system points out the latest information on available charging stations within the current driving range.
* Detailed information for each charging station will also be displayed.

Timer function

* The timer function enables the air-conditioner or battery charging to begin at a specified time. The air-conditioner can be pre-set while the vehicle is plugged-in to cool the cabin to a desirable temperature before driving begins, without taxing the vehicle's battery. Meanwhile, the battery charging can be set to start at a specified time at night to benefit from more favourable electricity rates.

EV remote control and monitoring function

* The driver can monitor the state-of-charge of the EV via an online website and a cellular phone. For example, when the battery is fully charged, a message alert is sent to the cellular phone. Additional remote control functions range from switching the charging system ON/OFF or setting the air-conditioner timer.

To be a leader in zero-emission mobility, Nissan is progressing its development for electric vehicles and the key components. The all-electric vehicle slated for launch in 2010 will have a unique design and body. Nissan plans to unveil the design of the production EV at its new Global Headquarters Opening in Yokohama on August 2nd. A Nissan Zero-emission Website (www.nissan-zeroemission.com) will also go live on Aug. 2nd.

Nissan has been addressing a wide range of actions under "Blue Citizenship" which represents the company's desire to protect the blue planet and to be a corporate citizen that can live symbiotically with people and society. These efforts range from such global issues as the environmental protection to contribution to communities, promoting diversity and making personal mobility available to as many people as possible. Nissan continues promoting the development of zero-emission vehicles based on the "Blue Citizenship" spirit by introducing effective technologies, products and services into the market.

*1: US LA4 mode. Actual range may vary depending on driving style and conditions.
*2: Global data centre: A globally common platform to provide identical telematics services via mobile network by connecting internet and vehicle IT system.

Nissan Partners With NEC For Battery Factory, Claims Of EV by 2010 Maybe Not BS?

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 20 May 2008 11:20:00 EDT

Nissan has announced a strategic partnership with tech giant NEC for a lithium ion battery factory in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The facility will operate under a new company dubbed Automotive Energy Supply and will be capable of putting out 16,000 batteries by next year, and 65,000 at full rate by 2011. With this $115 million announcement, Nissan's claims of putting EVs on the road by 2010 don't seem so far fetched. If Carlos the vanquisher says it will be, it will be. [Wired]

Nissan Developing Electric Car For 2010

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 13 May 2008 14:40:00 EDT

The Nissan G37 Convertible wasn't the only news to come out of the Nissan GT 2012 strategic plan. Apparently, Carlos the destroyer has gone on record committing Nissan to an all-electric vehicle available by the end of calender year 2010 which will compete directly with cars in its segment. This of course significantly raises the bar for green-tastic PR bragging rights and will leave the Chevy Volt and the plug-in Toyota Prius looking dirtier than a Flint River trout. Although Ghosn wouldn't commit to a price, segment, or volumes, he did say they were planning on having a regular lineup of EVs in place by 2012. Maybe that Denki Cube we saw in New York was more than just a concept car. [NYTimes]