Nissan tries something a little different to promote Leaf electric car
One of the very important components in getting Joe V6-pack on board for electric-drive vehicles in the coming years will be education about how EVs are different (and better, in many ways) than traditional liquid-fueled cars. While the whole "zero emission" tagline is becoming common, Nissan is trying out something a bit fresher for its new Leaf EV.
As you can see in the image above – taken from an email Nissan sent to the hand-raisers – the company has found three things that can use the 100 (or 100 percent) number: that the car is totally electric, that it can go 100 miles per charge (yes, there is an asterisk there in the fine print, as there should be) and that the car will have 100 percent of its available torque from 0 rpm (this is clarified in the small text not included above). Hyping all that torque is a good strategy – after all, it's still news to many people that electric cars can go fast – but it's one we really haven't seen that much in promotional material for EVs. Why not? Think it'll continue?
[Source: Nissan]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Murc 8:31PM (8/07/2009)
If they want it to sell better and stand out, they could of made it look at least nice....
And dont give it a dumb hippy name.
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Zeph 9:48PM (8/07/2009)
If they want to sell better they could actually sell it and not make yet another lease program around electric cars, which have been around in one form or another for around 100 years.
rob 9:43AM (8/08/2009)
It does look nice. It looks like a 2020 Renault Megane/Nissan Versa/Tiida that's been sent back in time to us here in 2009...
Were you expecting a 72 'Cuda?
Matt 10:04PM (8/07/2009)
It's hard to sell the "100% of torque is available from 0 mph" line when it's a wimpy commuter car. We'll see when we have more info, but I doubt it'll be anything to write home about. The 100 mile range will be impressive if the price is right.
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ufgrat 1:39AM (8/08/2009)
... and if the 100 mile range doesn't depend on keeping the speed below 50mph.
Lorena Palin 10:09PM (8/07/2009)
So how does the battery ownership work on these things?
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NeilBlanchard 10:10PM (8/07/2009)
Hi,
What we have been told is it has 207ft/lbs of torque, and that it's acceleration will be similar to the Infiniti G35: ~6.2 secs 0-60mph. It's one sprightly "commuter car"!
Sincerely, Neil
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Matt 11:12PM (8/07/2009)
Dang, I didn't know that... Maybe it will be fun, I stand corrected.
why not the LS2LS7? 11:10PM (8/07/2009)
How does 100% torque at 0 rpm help an electric car go fast? At 0rpm, the car is traveling 0mph.
It's more important what the torque is at cruising speeds and higher speeds. That determines the top speed. And in electric cars, the top speed is usually lower than even a slow gas car.
I mean, I know you don't really need a car to go faster than 100mph anyway, but if you have an electric car, it won't.
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polo 11:35PM (8/07/2009)
The car zooms when you touch the pedal. Is that simple enough for you?
CaramelZappa 3:08AM (8/08/2009)
The point is that the torque is available at 0rpm, so you get brisk accelleration off the line.
And you first said that what's really important is what the top speed is, and then nicely pointed out that you don't need to drive insanely fast.
Personally, I think accelleration is a LOT more important than top speed. as long as it tops out above 70mph the car is ready for the highway, so who cares if a bmw can go faster? A car with better accelleration will beat others between the red lights, and get on the freeway quicker.
why not the LS2LS7? 11:21AM (8/08/2009)
I got it now. I read the link (which goes to two articles below).
The problem is ABG is using "fast" to mean "quick". If a car accelerates well at the drag strip, it's "quick". "fast" refers to the speeds it can reach.
I know it sounds like I'm being pedantic, but I'm just pointing out why what ABG said threw me off. Lots of torque at zero can definitely increase performance at the drag strip, making EVs rather quick. But lots of torque at zero rpm doesn't improve the car's top speed, so it doesn't make them "fast".
Sebastian 11:37AM (8/12/2009)
@LS2LS7? - good point. I'll try to be more clear in future posts.
David Martin 12:42AM (8/08/2009)
How about:
'100% a waste of money?'
If this is still the battery they use:
'Based on AESC’s testing, the cells will retain more than 80% capacity after 7 years, including 70,000 km (43,496 miles).'
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2008/05/aesc-lithium-io.html
Then at £6k for the battery, you are only expected to do 16-17 miles a day on average over the 7 years and pay 13.5pence a mile for the battery before you add anything else on!
From the info we have got so far Toyota is right, and battery cars are not ready for prime time.
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Rain 12:53AM (8/08/2009)
Yeah,Electric cars are too expensive:
http://www.automotive.com/2008/12/ford/f-250/ownership-costs/index.html
David Martin 5:15AM (8/08/2009)
Rain, your link does not work
brett 12:38PM (8/08/2009)
the batteries are expensive BUT the cost of maintenance and fuel (electricity to recharge the car) are less than a conventional ICE. That and the zero emissions factor make them very much ready for prime time for many buyers.
David Martin 1:16PM (8/08/2009)
I've just been checking the expected battery life of the Volt using LG Chem batteries, and using lithium manganese technology they reckon they can do 150,000 miles or ten years.
They are using a couple of technologies to get that, from additives to the battery to a separator.
They will also steer clear of deep discharge in the battery management to extend life.
Presumably the Volt's 16kwh battery pack will also cost less than the Leaf's 24kwh pack.
About the only place the economics work for the Leaf is in London, where if you did only very low mileage then the congestion charge exemption would pay for the batteries over the 7 years.
If you really only do 16-17miles a day though, there are a variety of electric run-arounds you can buy for only around £10k and still qualify for the rebate which would do fine for that limited use.
This seems to be aimed at the more money than sense market.
Dolphyn 1:39AM (8/08/2009)
"100 miles per charge (yes, there is an asterisk there, as there should be)"
Huh? I agree there should be an asterisk, but I don't see it.
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monica 3:45AM (8/08/2009)
The battery is for lease. Think of Norway, anyone? where is it now? Just sell the damn car including the battery. When Ford comes out with its electric car (no battery lease), this leaf will be as irrelevant as the SUVs.
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