A few days ago I mentioned that both Renault and Nissan had unveiled prototypes of upcoming models for Zero Emission Electric Vehicles (EVs). Well Nissan has now fully unveiled its upcoming car, it’s called the LEAF and looks pretty snazzy, here’s what it looks like:
The specs are not too bad either:
- 5 seater
- Max Speed of over 140 Kph (90 Mph)
- Cruising range of over 160 Km (100 Mi)
- Dedicated IT System
And looking at the press release there are interesting points that make it quite attractive:
Slated for launch in late 2010 in Japan, the United States, and Europe [...]
Seeing has they talk about partnerships with the UK we may be able to see this here before too long. It gives about a year for the government to come up with a decent infrastructure.
Pricing details will be announced closer to start of sales in late 2010; however, the company expects the car to be competitively priced in the range of a well-equipped C-segment vehicle. Additionally, Nissan LEAF is expected to qualify for an array of significant local, regional and national tax breaks and incentives in markets around the world. As an added benefit, because the vehicle has less mechanical complexity than a traditional gasoline-powered car, Nissan LEAF is designed to be friendly to the wallet as well as to the environment.
For information, a C-segment vehicle is also known as a “small family car” (think Ford Focus) and should retail for (hopefully) 12 to 15k. Add UK plans to promote electric vehicles and we could be in for affordable green vehicles. Note: I know they need to run on electricity generated by renewables to be truly green, but that’s not the debate here…
Nissan’s approach makes charging easy and convenient. Nissan LEAF can be charged up to 80% of its full capacity in just under 30 minutes with a quick charger. Charging at home through a 200V outlet is estimated to take approximately eight hours – ample time to enable an overnight refresh for consumer and car alike.
Under 30min for a “quick charge” at 80% capacity, that’s not bad, depending on how quickly the battery gets depleted. Of course this is the point where I have to bang my hand on the wall for only having on-street parking where I live and thus no way to charge an electric car overnight 
Nissan LEAF employs an exclusive advanced IT system. Connected to a global data center, the system can provide support, information, and entertainment for drivers 24 hours a day.
The dash-mounted monitor displays Nissan LEAF’s remaining power – or “reachable area” – in addition to showing a selection of nearby charging stations.
Another state-of-the-art feature is the ability to use mobile phones to turn on air-conditioning and set charging functions – even when Nissan LEAF is powered down. An on-board remote-controlled timer can also be pre-programmed to recharge batteries.
I’m already hearing conspiracy theorists shouting murder at yet another proof of the database state, but personally if it means instant support in case of a breakdown, bonus! Of course, when they talk about entertainment, I’d rather have a say in it too 
But the cherry is mobile phone connectivity to monitor charge and other features like AC. I see a lot of opportunities for smartphone applications here
Zero-emission mobility programs under the banner of the Renault-Nissan Alliance include partnerships with countries such as the UK and Portugal, local governments in the Japan and the USA, and other sectors, for a total of nearly 30 partnerships worldwide.
In these partnerships major efforts focus on three areas:
1) Development of a comprehensive charging infrastructure through public and private investment,
2) Incentives and subsidies from local, regional, and national governments, and
3) Public education on the individual and societal benefits of zero-emissions mobility.
Hopefully this will definitely be the case. While I wouldn’t want Nissan to become the exclusive provider of EVs in the UK, it definitely makes sense for them to have partnerships with the government in developing infrastructures
So to conclude, I think (hope) we’re seeing the dawn of a new age of technology similar to the mid to late 90′s where the mobile phones started to take over the world or the 60s where the TV became rather ubiquitous.
We can’t go on using the cars we’re using. I was so pleased to see a TNT delivery van with ”Zero Emissions” plastered all over it on my walk to work yesterday I could hardly believe my eyes.
Tags: EVs, green economy, LEAF, Nissan
