News for the ‘electric cars are rocket science’ Category

rex auto man reveals electric vehicles on the road today

Electric Vehicles are on the Roads Today

Many people are not aware that Electric Vehicles are real today! They are more than just a future promise from automakers. Some EVs are production vehicles used as daily commuter cars while others are one-of-a-kind custom projects.

Checkout these videos to see some actual EV cars and trucks owned by Silicon Valley EAA members. Some interesting facts in these videos. Were you aware that Vacaville, CA may be the most EV-friendly town in America as shown by this “Back To the Future” ABC news report? At the other end of the state, our San Diego EAA chapter is educating high school teachers how to convert a normal gas car into an EV.

http://www.eaaev.org/index.html

rex auto man reveals nissan is producing a low cost electric vehicle

08.02.2009 , YOKOHAMA
NISSAN UNVEILS “LEAF” – THE WORLD’S FIRST ELECTRIC CAR DESIGNED FOR AFFORDABILITY AND REAL-WORLD REQUIREMENTS
Event ushers in a new era for Nissan and a new era for mobility

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today unveiled Nissan LEAF, the world’s first affordable, zero-emission car. Designed specifically for a lithium-ion battery-powered chassis, Nissan LEAF is a medium-size hatchback that comfortably seats five adults and has a range of more than 160km (100 miles) to satisfy real-world consumer requirements.

NISSAN LEAF
Slated for launch in late 2010 in Japan, the United States, and Europe, Nissan LEAF ushers in a new era of mobility – the zero-emission era. The car is the embodiment of Nissan’s radical, transformative vision for the future and the culmination of decades of investment and research.

“Nissan LEAF is a tremendous accomplishment – one in which all Nissan employees can take great pride,” said Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn. “We have been working tirelessly to make this day a reality – the unveiling of a real-world car that has zero – not simply reduced – emissions. It’s the first step in what is sure to be an exciting journey – for people all over the world, for Nissan and for the industry.”

Key characteristics of the LEAF include:

1. Zero-emission power train and platform
2. Affordable pricing
3. Distinctive design
4. Real-world range autonomy – 160km (100 miles)
5. Connected Mobility: Advanced intelligent transportation (IT) system

The “LEAF” name is a significant statement about the car itself. Just as leaves purify the air in nature, so Nissan LEAF purifies mobility by taking emissions out of the driving experience. 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.

ZERO-EMISSION MOBILITY
Nissan LEAF is powered by laminated compact lithium-ion batteries, which generate power output of over 90kW, while its electric motor delivers 80kW/280Nm. This ensures a highly responsive, fun-to-drive experience that is in keeping with what consumers have come to expect from traditional, gasoline-powered automobiles.

Unlike internal-combustion engine (ICE) equipped vehicles, Nissan LEAF’s power train has no tail pipe, and thus no emission of CO2 or other greenhouse gases. A combination of Nissan LEAF’s regenerative braking system and innovative lithium-ion battery packs enables the car to deliver a driving range of more than 160km (100 miles) on one full charge*. (*US LA4 mode)

Extensive consumer research demonstrates that this range satisfies the daily driving requirements of more than 70% of the world’s consumers who drive cars.

And, 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.

REAL-WORLD CAR
The engineers and designers behind Nissan LEAF worked to create a competitively priced real-world car that would enable Nissan to lead mobility into the zero-emission era. To ensure comfort, spaciousness and cargo capacity, Nissan LEAF employs a completely new chassis and body layout.

”Our car had to be the world’s first, medium-size, practical EV that motorists could afford and would want to use every day. And that’s what we’ve created. The styling will identify not only Nissan LEAF but also the owner as a participant in the new era of zero-emission mobility,” said Masato INOUE, Product Chief Designer.

DISTINCTIVE DESIGN
Even the smallest details can yield tremendous effect.

Nissan LEAF’s frontal styling is characterized by a sharp, upright V-shaped design featuring long, up-slanting light-emitting diode (LED) headlights that employ a blue internal reflective design that announces, “This car is special.” But the headlights do more than make a statement. They are also designed to cleverly split and redirect airflow away from the door mirrors, thus reducing wind noise and drag. And, the headlights provide yet one more benefit in that they consume about 50 percent of the electricity of conventional lamps, which helps Nissan LEAF to achieve its world-class range autonomy.

Through bright trim colors inside, Nissan LEAF creates a pleasing and stylish cabin environment. An environmentally friendly “blue earth” color theme originates from the Aqua Globe body color of Nissan LEAF’s introductory model. This theme is carried into the interior through blue dashboard highlights and instrument illumination.

CONNECTED MOBILITY IT SYSTEM
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.

“The IT system is a critical advantage,” says Tooru ABE, Chief Product Specialist. “We wanted this vehicle to be a partner for the driver and an enhancement for the passengers. We also wanted this vehicle to help create a zero-emission community, and these IT features will help make that possible.”

HOLISTIC APPROACH TO ZERO-EMISSION MOBILITY AND ECO-FRIENDLY INNOVATION
Nissan LEAF is a critical first step in establishing the era of zero-emission mobility; however, Nissan recognizes that internal-combustion engine (ICE) technologies will play a vital role in global transportation for decades to come. Because of this, Nissan is implementing its zero-emission vision through a holistic approach, which provides consumers a comprehensive range of eco-friendly technologies from which to choose.

For some consumers, Nissan LEAF will be the perfect match, and the only car they will ever need. For others, Nissan LEAF will be a logical addition to the family fleet – the optimal choice for the daily commute, for example.

While zero-emission is the ultimate goal, the company is committed to ongoing innovation in eco-friendly technologies that increase efficiency and reduce emissions. As a result, Nissan offers a comprehensive suite of automotive technologies, including CVT, Idle Stop, HEV, Clean Diesel, and ongoing research and investment in FCV technology.

WORLDWIDE PARTNERS
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.

ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLE PRODUCTION
Nissan LEAF is the first in the company’s forthcoming line of EVs and is a major milestone in the realization of the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s vision for zero-emission mobility. The first of Nissan’s EV’s will be manufactured at Oppama, Japan, with additional capacity planned for Smyrna, Tennessee, USA. Meanwhile, lithium-ion batteries are being produced in Zama, Japan, with additional capacity planned for the USA, the UK and Portugal, and other sites for investment are under study around the world.

ABOUT NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. is a global automotive company with vehicle sales of 3.411 million in 2008. Nissan is present in all major auto markets worldwide, selling a comprehensive range of cars, pickup trucks, SUVs, and light commerical vehicles.

NISSAN BLUE CITIZENSHIP
Nissan is committed to making a better world through its commitment to corporate social responsibility. This includes programs that focus on technological innovations that focus on people and care for the planet. Our vision for zero-emission mobility is an outgrowth of our CSR approach, which we call Blue Citizenship. Together, we are working with our Alliance partner, Renault, to make a better world through zero-emission mobility.

For more information, please visit the Nissan Zero-Emission website:
http://www.nissan-zeroemission.com

###

http://press.nissan-global.com/EN

rex auto man lovs electric cars

rex auto man lovs electric cars

rex automated man just lovs lovs lovs electric cars

Electric Cars Set To Tiptoe Into Showrooms
by Karl Greenberg


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If rumors of the demise of the electric car are exaggerated, so, perhaps, are market opportunities for such cars — at least in the short term. Still, several automakers from top-tier brands to start-ups are preparing to roll them quietly into showrooms in the coming months.

Nissan last week unveiled its first electric car, the Leaf, in Los Angeles. The company, which says Leaf will be the first mass-market electric car, plans to begin selling it next year. It will not divulge the sticker price yet, but says it will be commensurate with that of a family sedan. Nissan is beginning national promotions via a college tour and a student competition on www.Facebook.com/nissan. The tour will make stops in 22 cities, 11 states, the District of Columbia, and Vancouver, Canada.

Among major automakers, GM’s Chevy unit will begin selling a plug-in hybrid — the Volt — next year. Toyota is looking at a plug-in Prius, and Ford a plug-in version of the Escape hybrid. And at least three of the vehicles are from start-ups: Tesla, Coda Automotive, and the high-end Fisker — all based in Southern California.

Tesla has been selling a $100,000 electric roadster since 2008 and has dealerships in nine cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago and Miami. The automaker plans to begin selling a more affordable all-electric sedan in 2012. Coda, which plans to start selling its first car — a mass-market four-door — in 2010, recently hired automotive veteran Kerri Martin as CMO. Martin helped launch BMW’s Mini division in 2000, and was most recently director of brand innovation and marketing communications at Volkswagen.

Kara Saltness, marketing and communications director at Coda, tells Marketing Daily that the company’s first car will also be priced in the mid-sedan range. She says the company plans to sell 1,600 of the cars in California next year, and will ramp up to build capacity for 20,000 vehicles in 2011 “if there is market demand.” She adds that California is potentially a strong market statewide because of city and county incentives and a green mindset. Portland, Ore., Seattle, and Austin, Texas, are other strong potential markets.

Wes Brown of market consultancy Iceology, which is working on marketing strategy for Coda Automotive, says dealer revenue will be an issue with electrics because — unlike gasoline engines with their thousands of moving parts that wear out, break down and otherwise falter over time — electric motors just keep going and going.

“Auto dealers make money at back end — in service,” he says. “It’s a bit like Lord & Taylor. You pay for the suit, but you also pay for alterations.” Brown, who says maintenance service on a car can be 20% of auto retail revenue, says higher sticker price is the only way to get dealers more money on electric-car sales.

The other problem is finding stations to get an electric fill-up. “The problem is range, charging time and infrastructure,” he says, noting that both San Francisco and Portland, Ore. are racing to develop an electric-car infrastructure. He says that although battery technology that improves range and longevity and reduces charge time is accelerating, “we are five years, at least, from having [electric-car charging] infrastructure on the West Coast.”

Brown says the initial market for electric cars will be affluent, highly educated early adopters. “These are people willing and able to make those sacrifices to better the world, because you are dealing with people who say climate change and the environment are leading issues. You’ll have almost every mass-carmaker looking at some vehicle like this in the next three to five years.”

good car dealer education leads to red flag compliance + we make it simple for you

good car dealer education leads to red flag compliance + we make it simple for you