Nissan Motor Co annouces Nissan Leaf EV

NIssan Leaf Announced: Plug Electric Vehicle with 367 MPG

Yokohama, Japan: Nissan Motor Co, Jidosha Kabushiki-gaisha annouces their first all electric plug-in vehicle, the Nissan Leaf. Nissan (Japan's 3rd biggest automaker) Jidosha Kabushiki-gaisha has made history by unveiling their first zero emissions vehicle intended for mass production. While other auto makers have rushed to build hybrid electric gas vehicles, Nissan has moved directly to an electric vehicle. CEO Carlos Ghosn unveiled the new vehicle August 2nd, 2009 stated he's not concerned about competition from rival's hybrid vehicles.

Unlike hybrids, the pure electric Nissan Leaf has Zero emissions making it quite environmentally friendly. The leaf has a range of about 100 miles and does not use any gasoline.

Vehicle Specifications

The battery will be located under the driver's seat, and Nissan says the vehicle has been tested for impacts and it should be safe. In order to help consumers save money, the vehicle will be programmable to charge during off-peak hours or overnight. It is also interesting to note that while the exact torque is unknown, the vehicle will have 100% torque at 0 (zero) RPMs. Nissan is also working to get charging stations built at malls and service stations. An 80% charge is possible at a service station, but if volts or amps are low (if its not a proper charging station) it can take as long as 16-18 hours to charge. The Nav system will help owners find charging stations in their area when they are away from home. For charging at home, a professional electrician will need to set up the charging station.

Another interesting fact is that the vehicle will not have any fluids except wiper and brake fluid. Everything else is electronic. There's no transmission fluid because the vehicle has no transmission! Nissan says the engine accelerates and handles like a V6, although the top speed of the vehicle is 90 miles per hour. The complete range of the vehicle is 100 miles with no charge, and the expected battery life is 5 years. Nissan states that after 6 years the battery will have about 80% capacity.

EVs Expected to Reprsent 10% of All Vehicles Sold Within the Next Four Years

The Nissan Leaf is slated for release in Japan, Europe, and the USA during late 2010. This zero emissions Nissan Leaf EV is expected to attract positive attention from both environmentally conscious consumers and those looking to avoid the sharply rising costs of gasoline. Toyota (Japan's #1 largest vehicle manufacturer) is expected to revamp the Prius and Honda (Japan's #2 automaker) is expected to take similar actions with the Insight. Automakers expect hybrid and electric vehicles to represent at least 10% of all vehicles sold within the next four years, and they are all rushing to meet the demand.

As of yet, Nissan Motor Co has not released pricing for the leaf. Based on EPA draft guidlines the Leaf is rated at 397 MPG.

US Department of Energy Loans Nissan $1.6 Billion

Although the leaf is expected to compete with hybrids, it is unique because it emits no exhaust--so the estimated 367 mpg, based on EPA draft guidelines are based completely on electricity costs. Nissan Motor Co. has received a loan of $1.6 Billion loan from the US Department of Energy to improve their USA plant in Smyrna, Tennesse. With expected improvements, Nissan hopes to improve capacity at the plant to build over 100,000 EVs (electric vehicles) annually within the next 5 years. Although the Leaf will be released in 2010, mass production will not start until 2012.

Tags: Electric Car, Electric Vehicle, Electric Vehicles, Lithium-Ion Batteries, Zero Emissions, Environmentally Friendly, Future of Cars, EV, Hybrid, Chevy Volt Electric Vehicle, Toyota Prius, Dodge Circuit EV, Nissan Leaf EV, BMW Mini E, E-mini, GM Buick Plug-In SUV, EPA MPG

Related Articles
Learn about the Mini E coming soon from BMW: The BMW Mini E: Tiny Car. Tiny Range
Why Toyota is not making a pure EV yet: Toyota Takes a Backseat in the Electric Vehicle Race
General Motors has plans for a Buick EV: GM Buick plug-in SUV expected in 2011
General Motors banks on the Volt: GM has high hopes for Chevrolet Volt Electric Car