Nissan shows off new Versa-based electric vehicle prototype
by Sam Abuelsamid on Jul 27th 2009 at 7:52AM 
Nissan EV-11 prototype - click above for high-res image gallery
A week before it shows the world what its new dedicated electric vehicle will look like, Nissan is showing off its latest-generation prototype. The company's previous iteration was based on the original Cube, but the new test units are based on the Versa/Tiida. A 108 horsepower / 206 pound-feet electric motor designed in-house at Nissan drives the front wheels, while a lithium ion battery pack created by Automotive Energy Supply Corp. stores electricity. The 24 kWh pack is fitted under the floor and is expected to yield a 100-mile range.
Nissan is aiming to make life as stress-free as possible for its EV drivers. To that end, the navigation system will automatically display the driving radius that the current battery state of charge will support. It can also download information about currently available charging stations. Drivers can also access the charging status of their cars remotely via a cell phone, so no doubt an iPhone app will be on the way. More details after the jump.
Gallery: Nissan EV-11 prototype
[Source: Nissan]
PRESS RELEASE:
07.26.2009 , Tokyo
NISSAN READIES ITS ELECTRIC VEHICLE PLATFORM
- All-electric car goes to market in U.S. and Japan in 2010 -
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 minimizes vibration and external sounds to produce a quiet and pleasing drive.
EV-IT support function
Nissan has developed an sophisticated IT system for its zero-emission EVs, connecting the vehicle's on-board transmitting unit to a global data center*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 favorable 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 center: A globally common platform to provide identical telematics services via mobile network by connecting internet and vehicle IT system.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Yanquetino 9:54AM (7/27/2009)
Not quite sure why Nissan would want to display another mere prototype, with the real thing only one week away. Maybe they just want to pass around some hors d'œuvres to whet our appetite for dinner...?
What DOES intrigue me is the charging unit shown in that one photo. The immense girth of its cable suggests that it is a 480V fast-charger, i.e., what Mark Perry claims can recharge the battery pack to 80% in only 24 minutes. IMHO, that's a much better solution for long-distance travel than "swapping" stations.
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Dave 11:18AM (7/27/2009)
"Not quite sure why Nissan would want to display another mere prototype, with the real thing only one week away."
Because the "real thing" will be underwhelming and Nissan wants to make it known that they are still working to make a marketable EV.
lne937s 11:01AM (7/27/2009)
If you watch that video, it seems to charge very fast. Must be the fast charger...
If you want to see a sneak peak of what the actual car looks like, go to this link and wait 15-20 seconds:
http://www2.nissan-zeroemission.com/EN/
(I sent this in as a tip but it hasn't shown up yet)
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Chris M 5:21PM (7/27/2009)
Nice teaser shot! Thanks for the link.
matt 10:52AM (7/27/2009)
the versa looks a lot better when it has a paint job like that.
can't wait to see what the car will look like, it's between the nissan EV and a tesla-S for me...
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B 11:04AM (7/27/2009)
Looks like a almost completed car to me. It's not luxurious like Model-S but attractive enough. Considering quick charging capability it should be enough even for my few longer trips in a year. Nice it has front drive, it should be better for regen braking. Putting batteries under floor will give superb low centre of gravity and handling. Battery placement suggests also relatively easy swapping. Last question which remains is price.
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lne937s 12:03PM (7/27/2009)
In looking at the cutaway, there appears to be a large empty space at the rear of the car...
Could maybe a supplimental battery go here for long trips? Supplied by BetterPlace? Could you fit a small range extender? Maybe eAWD? It seems like an awfully high rear floor if you aren't going to do anything with the space beneath it.
Anyway, with all the weight so low and centrally located, this car should handle well.
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Serge 11:55AM (7/27/2009)
A small range extender would certainly be nice as an option, say a microturbine.
James 11:17AM (7/27/2009)
Wow!
100 mile LA-4 range! That's like 70 miles of real-world city driving range! Or maybe 50 or 60 miles on the freeway! I haven't driven that far since... yesterday.
And Nissan plans to sell 100,000 copies? How?
James
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B 12:25PM (7/27/2009)
It has half of battery capacity of Tesla Roadster. People can get over 200 miles in Tesla so it isn't looking impossible. Remember that it has start from somewhere. For you it may be too little and rightfully so. It just will not be a car for you. Cost is another important consideration. Sure it'd be great to put there 50kWh pack but then price would go higher. This is supposed a car for normal day commuting, not like Tesla high performance sport car.
Looking at that video is evident that Nissan is well aware of range limitation. So they prepared range counting and navigation, quick charging unit, search function for charge points to ease this. That video shows with EV comes a mindset change too. EV are supposed to be put on a grid whenever possible. It's so different than current "go once a week to fuel station" thinking. People will get grasp of it eventually.
dieqast 1:17PM (7/27/2009)
Powertrain has everything necessary for a viable 200+ mile EV, we just need to cut weight (thuss energy consumption) by cutting costs on composites with high specific strength characteristics.
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John Rowell 1:27PM (7/27/2009)
I hope Nissan going with a mere 100 mile range doesn't turn out to be a fatal mistake. Although in most cases the fear is ungrounded, a lot of people will be turned off by that.
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jake 2:08PM (7/27/2009)
100 mile range is probably on the border for some people (they'll need a top up at their destination), but a 200 mile EV will have to carry twice the batteries and it'll just cost a lot (and will be extra weight) when probably most people will rarely use the extra 100 mile range (especially if plugs are installed by more businesses and rapid charging becomes available).
The Roadster's battery costs about $36k for a replacement and comparing by the size (53kWh vs 24kWh), the battery in this Nissan will cost about $15k. They can still make this car for around $30k (a Versa hatch starts at $13k) with this size pack, but if they double the size, the pack alone will cost about $30k. That's why most of these more practical/affordable EVs will have a smaller pack (it seems only premium EVs like the Tesla is pursuing more range). But I suppose they can offer optional larger packs for those who want more range.
vvaduva 1:38PM (7/27/2009)
Count me in Nissan. I started saving already for this - it is going to be great as a car for my wife.
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jake 1:54PM (7/27/2009)
I was waiting for an EV 5 door compact, a Versa would be the perfect size. If the price is decent I think it will sell well. I wonder what they will unveil in August.
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ZachAJ 3:03PM (7/27/2009)
What is that crazy thing at the end of the video? Is that their wireless charge station?
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lne937s 3:30PM (7/27/2009)
I think that is the inductive charger at the end of the video.
What attracted my attention more was the rapid charger that was shown before that. It went from 12 kW/h to 14 kW/h in about 4 seconds. If that is a real charger instead of a simulation, then these things might charge very quickly. Think about 20kW/h of charging in less than 2 minutes...
GoodCheer 4:54PM (7/27/2009)
I think it went for 0.12 to 0.14 kWh in that time. That corresponds to 18kW charging, which happens to be the defined limit of Level II (as accurately as the 4s was measured). That would be 240V, 80A, which you could put in in your garage.
That would be about 1 mile/minute charging.
lne937s 5:19PM (7/27/2009)
GoodCheer...
I was of the impression that the fast charger would be using 480v 3 phase power. How fast do you think that could charge the battery?
GoodCheer 5:43PM (7/27/2009)
"I was of the impression that the fast charger would be using 480v 3 phase power. How fast do you think that could charge the battery?"
Well, if you were charging at 480V and had an 100Amp connection, that would give you 48kW, which would charge you at roughly 3 miles(range)/minute.
If it's 480V 500A, that's 240kW (I think AeroVironment is working on charging at about this power), that would give you roughly 16 miles(range)/minute.
Of course only certain battery chemistries are capable of accepting charge at that rate, and the power electronics get big and expensive... even the power delivery to the charge point gets out of hand. Myself, I just don't see the point of going much above Level II. If you want to take your EV on a road-trip, get a series hybridizing trailer [http://www.evnut.com/rav_longranger.htm].