Nissan could sell electric car to the U.S. masses in 2011 or earlier
Click above for a high res gallery of the Nissan EV-02
Nissan's big electric vehicle announcement last week wasn't enough. While the news from last week was that Nissan's EV, when it arrives, would be price competitive with cars like the Honda Civic, Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima, the plan was to make the first batch of vehicles available only to fleet customers in 2010, with the roll-out period for everyone else planned for 2012. The highway-speed cars will likely seat five and have a 100-mile range in a design that has not yet been revealed. Automotive News (subs req'd) has heard that retail sales of these Nissan EVs just might start earlier (perhaps next year), "if a market is ready for it." The company will be looking for cities that have charging infrastructure in place to rollout their vehicles. Nissan is also helping to build that network.
One key component of EVs in the U.S. would be building the batteries here. Nissan recently told our friend Paul Scott, from Plug In America, that they'd like an advanced battery plant in the U.S. With all the difficultuies in the marketplace, it looks like Nissan, at least, is keeping their EV plans in order.
Gallery: Nissan EV
[Source: Automotive News (subs req'd), Green Car Advisor]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ShaunneyCakes 10:30AM (3/30/2009)
Frankly, I would be surprised if Nissan does come through with producing this vehicle so quickly. As long as it is not as ugly as the "Cube" I will be one of the first to buy it... I will even trade in my Prius for it...
Reply
jharlan 10:55AM (3/30/2009)
It will probably have a tough time because HFCVs will have already flooded the market by then............................NOT!
My guess is they will be on time with this EV and it will have better range than their prototypes. Will it sell here? You bet your ass it will!
Reply
polo 11:19AM (3/30/2009)
Looks like engadget beat ABG on announcing a new US-bound EV.
200miles on a charge..for $36K? Interesting to see what Nissan will offer.
"If you didn't already have enough electric and plug-in hybrid cars on your shopping list for next year, make sure you add pair of offerings from the reborn Detroit Electric to the running. The company (which, naturally, isn't based in Detroit) has already announced a partnership with Malaysian automotive group Proton (owner of Lotus, responsible for much of the Tesla Roadster's underpinnings), and the two are now providing a few details of the offerings set to launch throughout next year in Europe, China, the UK, and the US. Two versions of the e63 model will be available, seemingly distinguished only by how far they can go before stranding you. The so-called "city range" model is rated for 112 miles to a charge and will sell for under $26,000, while the "extended range" version pushes that distance up to 200 miles -- and the price up to $33,000."
http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/30/proton-and-detroit-electric-detail-their-forthcoming-rechargeabl/
Reply
Rick 11:03AM (3/31/2009)
If I were to, say buy a Nissan with a 100-mile range in 2011, would I be able to upgrade the battery when a 400 range battery is released in say 2015? Or are you stuck with a 100-mile range for the life of the car?
Reply