AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com AutoblogGreen http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry.<![CDATA[Nissan announces production of funky e-NV200 electric van]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/nissan-announces-production-of-funky-e-nv200-electric-van/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/nissan-announces-production-of-funky-e-nv200-electric-van/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/nissan-announces-production-of-funky-e-nv200-electric-van/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Nissan e-NV200 concept

There are two ways automakers can go when producing a vehicle with electric propulsion - be it a hybrid or an outright EV: make it look the same as any other car, or make it stand out. Like Toyota (for example) did with the Prius, Nissan made the Leaf look (for better or worse) unlike a conventional sedan. But while Toyota answered the call for more space with the equally "distinctive" Prius V, Nissan has gone a different route in producing a bigger brother for the Leaf.

That route is called the e-NV200, pictured above in concept form. And while the nose, unique shade of blue and electric powertrain are conceptually borrowed from the Leaf, the rest is nearly identical to the existing NV200 van that is being rolled out in New York as the city's new taxi of choice.

Nissan has just announced the production of the e-NV200, set to start next year at the same plant in Barcelona, Spain, as the conventionally-powered NV200. As a result, Nissan will hire 700 more workers at the plant and invest some €100 million (U.S. $126 million at today's exchange rates). Details like projected cost and annual capacity are not to be found in the press release below, but Nissan does say the electric van will be built starting some time in fiscal year 2013. That means some time before the end of March 2014.

Continue reading Nissan announces production of funky e-NV200 electric van

Nissan announces production of funky e-NV200 electric van originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 23 May 2012 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barcelonae-nv200leafnissannissan e-nv200nissan nv200nv200productionspainWed, 23 May 2012 13:58:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20243648/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20243648/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/23/nissan-announces-production-of-funky-e-nv200-electric-van/20243648/article-detail.xml 20243648 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/nissan-env-200-concept-stock-05_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/nissan-env-200-concept-stock-05.jpg <![CDATA[GM strikes out against CHAdeMO DC fast charging; opponents say SAE has 'the plug without the cars']]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/gm-strikes-out-against-chademo-dc-fast-charging/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/gm-strikes-out-against-chademo-dc-fast-charging/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/gm-strikes-out-against-chademo-dc-fast-charging/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Nissan leaf with cable attached

The battle lines are hardening.

At issue here are the competing DC fast charge standards, CHAdeMO (which is established and works with the Nissan Leaf and the Mitsubishi i) and the new SAE Combo Charger (which is not yet available on any cars for sale, and won't be for a while). CHAdeMo is, mostly, supported by Japanese companies, while the SAE Combo plug gets its backing from U.S. and German automakers. The two sides are currently in a war of words, but an important one.

Shad Balch, GM's manager of environment and energy policy, said during a recent public hearing in California that there should be a CHAdeMO embargo, "we need to make sure, especially because we're talking about taxpayer money, that ONLY those standards [i.e., the SAE combo plug] are installed going forward," Torque News reports. The crowd booed Balch, but he went on to say that, "there is a very small group of cars that use a non-standardized level 3 charging connector." We've heard that the first vehicle to get the SAE connector will be the Chevrolet Spark, sometime in 2013.

At CHAdeMO's General Assembly 2012, held yesterday in Tokyo, the Asian team responded. According to Hybrid Cars, CHAdeMO president Toshiyuki Shiga (who is also the COO of Nissan) said, "in the U.S. and in Europe there is a movement to eliminate the CHAdeMO by making the combo a regional standard." At the event, the SAE Combo option was repeatedly called "the plug without the cars."

GM and Balch are clearly fighting against Nissan's pure EV dominance, but they can't change the fact is that CHAdeMO is leading the way. Recently, at the SAE World Congress, Nissan was displaying some facts about CHAdeMO. As of the end of March 2012, 33 companies (including charging station suppliers) supported CHAdeMO and there were 1,071 CHAdeMO quick chargers installed around the world. Since the SAE Combo Charger is so new, there are no stations or cars that support it - yet - but most of the charging station companies we've talked to recently said they'll get behind whatever technology customers want. This war of words will likely determine which plug that is.

GM strikes out against CHAdeMO DC fast charging; opponents say SAE has 'the plug without the cars' originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 23 May 2012 12:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chademochevroletcomboelectric vehicleleafnissanplug-in hybridsae combosae combo chargerWed, 23 May 2012 12:13:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20242701/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20242701/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/23/gm-strikes-out-against-chademo-dc-fast-charging/20242701/article-detail.xml 20242701 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/leafchargingports_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/leafchargingports.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan Leaf ensures high-quality whisky from Isle of Islay]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/17/nissan-leaf-ensures-high-quality-whisky-from-isle-of-islay/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/17/nissan-leaf-ensures-high-quality-whisky-from-isle-of-islay/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/17/nissan-leaf-ensures-high-quality-whisky-from-isle-of-islay/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Nissan Leaf Scotch whisky

The Bruichladdich Distillery has been making artisan single malt Scotch whisky since 1881 on the Isle of Islay in the UK. As the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, you may not expect the island's 620 square kilometers (239 square miles) to be the ideal habitat for electric cars.

Apparently, though, the Nissan Leaf works out quite well for Mark Reynier, managing director at the distillery. The island's inhabitants are also benefited, says Reynier, by Nissan's Power Control System, which allows the Leaf's high-capacity lithium ion battery to power other devices - important when a single storm can completely cut the island's link to the outside world.

Watch Reynier describe how the Nissan Leaf has improved his life and his distillery in the video below. And, if you're interested in other ways to use Bruichladdich's whisky as a biofuel, you can also watch James May run a Radical SR4 race car on the spirit in a separate video.

Continue reading Nissan Leaf ensures high-quality whisky from Isle of Islay

Nissan Leaf ensures high-quality whisky from Isle of Islay originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 17 May 2012 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BruichladdichBruichladdich distilleryelectric vehicleisle of islayleafnissanscotchscotch whiskywhiskyThu, 17 May 2012 19:55:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20240344/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20240344/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/17/nissan-leaf-ensures-high-quality-whisky-from-isle-of-islay/20240344/article-detail.xml 20240344 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/nissan-leaf-distillery_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/nissan-leaf-distillery.jpg <![CDATA[Renault execs say the Zoe will outsell the Nissan Leaf in Europe]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/13/renault-execs-say-the-zoe-will-outsell-the-nissan-leaf-in-europe/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/13/renault-execs-say-the-zoe-will-outsell-the-nissan-leaf-in-europe/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/13/renault-execs-say-the-zoe-will-outsell-the-nissan-leaf-in-europe/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

renault zoe

When it comes to battery-electric vehicle sales across the pond, Renault's Zoe will get the better of the sibling rivalry against the Nissan Leaf.

That's what Renault is expecting will happen when it starts selling the Zoe later this year, according to Automotive News and, to make sure vehicles will be available, Renault will have an annual production capacity for the Zoe of as many as 150,000 vehicles. To compare, Nissan will be able to build just 25,000 Leafs at its Sunderland, UK plant when that comes online early next year. Globally, Nissan will be able to make over 200,000 Leafs a year once all its plants go into operation.

The Zoe is about eight percent shorter than the Leaf and, more importantly, about half the price thanks to a battery lease program of around $110 a month. Renault debuted the production version of the Zoe at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and spelled out a price of less than $21,000 in France (in U.S. dollars, after government incentives) and about $21,400 in the UK. Those lower price tags should attract plenty of EV customers, even though the Zoe will have a single-charge driving range that's about 30 percent shorter than the Leaf's.

Despite relatively low sales of the Renault Kangoo utility EV so far, Thierry Koskas, Renault's EV project director, said that he still expects EVs to account for 10 percent of new cars in Europe by the end of the decade.

Renault execs say the Zoe will outsell the Nissan Leaf in Europe originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 13 May 2012 08:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleeuropeev salesfranceleafleaf salesnissannissan leafrenaultrenault zoeThierry Koskasu.k.zoeSun, 13 May 2012 08:47:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20236401/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20236401/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/13/renault-execs-say-the-zoe-will-outsell-the-nissan-leaf-in-europe/20236401/article-detail.xml 20236401 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/zoe_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/zoe.jpg <![CDATA[Consumer Reports says converted EVs are marred by design compromises]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/11/consumer-reports-says-converted-evs-are-marred-by-design-comprom/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/11/consumer-reports-says-converted-evs-are-marred-by-design-comprom/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/11/consumer-reports-says-converted-evs-are-marred-by-design-comprom/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



When it comes to battery-electric versions of existing gas-powered vehicles, it's tough for those leopards to change their spots.

That's a conclusion from Consumer Reports, which says that the Ford Focus Electric and Chevrolet Volt are among plug-in vehicles marred by design compromises because they used platforms from existing gas-powered models.

The Volt, whose architecture stems from the Chevrolet Cruze, and the Focus EV both lack interior room and trunk space because the cars' larger batteries were crammed into spaces not originally designed to accommodate them, according to the publication. In contrast, models like the Nissan Leaf and Tesla Model S, which were always designed for electric powertrains, keep most if not all of their batteries underneath the car's flooring, increasing roominess as well as improving handling. Consumer Reports noted the Mercedes-Benz B-Class Fuel Cell vehicle as an exception because most of its powertrain components are also in the floor.

The topic of converted electric-drive vehicles vs. those that had always been designed as EVs is topical as many automakers rush EVs to the market to capitalize on growing awareness of electric-drive vehicles.

Earlier this month, Green Car Reports broached the topic of converted vs. purpose built EVs in an article about which EVs are being made for true production and which are being produced merely to comply with California's quota for zero-emissions vehicles. Green Car Reports concluded that converted models such as electric versions of the Focus, Honda Fit and Toyota RAV4 are being made merely for compliance purposes.

Consumer Reports says converted EVs are marred by design compromises originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 11 May 2012 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletconsumer reportsconverteddesignelectric vehicleford focus electricnissan leafpurpose builttesla model svoltFri, 11 May 2012 20:05:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20235945/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20235945/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/11/consumer-reports-says-converted-evs-are-marred-by-design-comprom/20235945/article-detail.xml 20235945 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/01-2012-ford-focus-electric-fd-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/01-2012-ford-focus-electric-fd-opt.jpg <![CDATA[SAE Congress: GE charges up Nissan's EV plans]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/06/sae-congress-ge-charges-up-nissans-ev-plans/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/06/sae-congress-ge-charges-up-nissans-ev-plans/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/06/sae-congress-ge-charges-up-nissans-ev-plans/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

nissan leaf at SAE World Congress 2012

Nissan and GE shared a booth at the SAE World Congress in Detroit recently to emphasize the way the two companies want to connects your car and various appliances to the emerging smart grid.

The common piece of equipment is the new WattStation, which is an electric vehicle charging station that - along with the companion piece of software called WattStation Connect - gives plug-in vehicle drivers "the ability to manage and set customer pricing for EV charging, provide access control at their facilities, generate valuable reports and engage with customers in new ways." Some of those new ways include powering your home from your electric car, keeping track of electricity usage and having the charging stations (when used publicly) talk to navigation software to broadcast availability. Rental company Hertz was also involved in the development of the WattStation Connect software. You can see a video of the WattStation at the Congress down below.

Nissan was also proudly displaying a placard about the expansion of the CHAdeMO fast-charging protocol. It said that when the CHAdeMO association was established in March, 2010, there were just six CHAdeMO DC quick charger manufacturers, all of them Japanese, and only 192 chargers were installed globally. Two years later, at the end of March 2012, there are 33 manufacturers and 1,071 DC quick chargers installed around the world. Those are good numbers for the charging protocol, but a challenger is coming in the form of a new, eight-automaker-approved alternative fast-charging standard being unveiled at EVS26 this week. How these two options will battle it out in the coming years will be most interesting to watch.

Continue reading SAE Congress: GE charges up Nissan's EV plans

SAE Congress: GE charges up Nissan's EV plans originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 06 May 2012 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chademodc fast chargerelectric vehiclegenissannissan dc fast chargernissan geplug-in hybridsmart gridwattstationwattstation connectSun, 06 May 2012 08:58:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20229480/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20229480/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/06/sae-congress-ge-charges-up-nissans-ev-plans/20229480/article-detail.xml 20229480 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/nissan-leaf-chademo-fast-charger-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/nissan-leaf-chademo-fast-charger-628.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan Leaf heads to the GT Academy]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/nissan-leaf-heads-to-the-gt-academy/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/nissan-leaf-heads-to-the-gt-academy/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/nissan-leaf-heads-to-the-gt-academy/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Nissan Leaf GT Academy

Nissan and Polyphony Digital, the studio behind the Grand Turismo franchise, have made a habit of giving gamers a shot at becoming professional race drivers through the GT Academy. Players from all over the world compete virtually for a chance to put down the controller, lace up their driving shoes and compete head-to-head in a variety of real-world challenges. Last year, Bryan Heitkotter won the first-ever U.S. GT Academy, thereby joining the ranks of former winners like Lucas Ordonez, Jordan Tresson and Jann Mardenborough.

This year's competition is already in full swing, and while we're used to seeing our virtual screens filled with machines like the Nissan 370Z and GT-R, the Leaf has made it into the fray as well. Why the Leaf? It's no secret that slow cars quickly bring to light a driver's inadequacies on the track. With so little horsepower, it's more difficult to overcome even small mistakes.

Nissan Leaf heads to the GT Academy originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 02 May 2012 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gran turismogt academyleafnisaan leaf gt academynissannissan leafpolyphony digitalWed, 02 May 2012 18:02:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20229477/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20229477/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/02/nissan-leaf-heads-to-the-gt-academy/20229477/article-detail.xml 20229477 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/nissan-leaf-gt-academy-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/nissan-leaf-gt-academy-628.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan sells 1,000 Leafs in Norway during first six months]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/nissan-sells-1-000-leafs-in-norway-during-first-six-months/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/nissan-sells-1-000-leafs-in-norway-during-first-six-months/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/nissan-sells-1-000-leafs-in-norway-during-first-six-months/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Just think, if Americans took to the Nissan Leaf battery-electric vehicle as enthusiastically as the Norwegians, the Japanese automaker would've hit its first-year U.S. sales goal of 10,000 units... in about a month.

Nissan sold 1,000 Leafs in Norway during its first six months of sales there and accounted for about two percent of the car market in February. That's roughly equivalent to the market share of all hybrids combined in the U.S.

In February, the Leaf was the ninth most-popular new vehicle in Norway, which Nissan says has the highest EV subsidies in Europe. Additionally, Norway's capital, Oslo, has about 3,500 public charging stations, around a third of what the U.S. has across the entire country.

The U.S. has a population that's over 60 times the size of Norway's five million people, meaning that a similar per capita sales rate in the U.S. would mean sales of about 120,000 units a year. Last year, Nissan sold 9,674 Leafs in the U.S.

Last month, Nissan sold just 370 Leafs, down 35 percent from a year earlier and marking a 36 percent drop from March sales. Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has said that Nissan's cost to make the Leaf will fall and sales should rise once the company starts producing the Leaf in Tennessee as well as Japan later this year.

Continue reading Nissan sells 1,000 Leafs in Norway during first six months

Nissan sells 1,000 Leafs in Norway during first six months originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 01 May 2012 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleleafnissannorwayTue, 01 May 2012 15:34:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20228425/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20228425/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/01/nissan-sells-1-000-leafs-in-norway-during-first-six-months/20228425/article-detail.xml 20228425 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/nissanleafeurope-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/nissanleafeurope-628.jpg <![CDATA[Chevy Volt sales drop to 1,462 in April, Nissan Leaf sales fall to 370 *UPDATE]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/chevy-volt-sales-drop-to-1-462-nissan-leaf-sales-fall-to-370/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/chevy-volt-sales-drop-to-1-462-nissan-leaf-sales-fall-to-370/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/chevy-volt-sales-drop-to-1-462-nissan-leaf-sales-fall-to-370/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

chevy volt and nissan leaf

For anyone playing close attention to the month-to-month sales results from the two leading plug-in vehicles in the U.S., the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf, April had some depressing news.

After selling a record number of Volts in March - 2,289 - Chevrolet managed to move just 1,462 in April. This is more inline with previous recent months (1,023 sales in February, 603 sold in January, 1,529 in December) and is almost three times the 493 sold in April 2011.

For the Leaf, Nissan sold just 370 in April, down from 579 units in March and 478 in February. In fact, 370 is lower than the number Nissan sold in April 2011, 573. The Leaf's best sales month ever was June 2011 with 1,708 units.

Now, Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has been managing expectations about Leaf sales for a while, saying that the monthly ups and downs should not be taken too seriously as an indication of Leaf popularity until the company's U.S. and UK production facilities come online (in late 2012 for Tennessee, early 2013 for Sunderland). As Ghosn said in New York last month, "I don't want you to take a one-month or two-month sales result in one particular market to try to make your opinion about the evolution of a very important technology for the industry."

UPDATE: we forgot to mention that April had three fewer selling days than April last year, which should be taken into consideration when comparing sales figure to last year's. Also, plug-in vehicles were not as widely available in 2011 as 2012, so it's tough to accurately judge from year-to-year right now.

Continue reading Chevy Volt sales drop to 1,462 in April, Nissan Leaf sales fall to 370 *UPDATE

Chevy Volt sales drop to 1,462 in April, Nissan Leaf sales fall to 370 *UPDATE originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 01 May 2012 12:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carlos ghosnchevroletchevy voltelectric vehicleleafleaf salesnissannissan leafplug-in hybridvoltvolt salesTue, 01 May 2012 12:54:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20228102/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20228102/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/01/chevy-volt-sales-drop-to-1-462-nissan-leaf-sales-fall-to-370/20228102/article-detail.xml 20228102 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/volt-leaf-1325711059_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/volt-leaf-1325711059.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan's Venucia JV will build Leaf look-alike electric car in China by 2015]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/24/nissans-venucia-jv-will-build-leaf-look-alike-in-china-by-2015/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/24/nissans-venucia-jv-will-build-leaf-look-alike-in-china-by-2015/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/24/nissans-venucia-jv-will-build-leaf-look-alike-in-china-by-2015/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Venucia EV Concept (Nissan Leaf)

Last year, Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said that the Chinese joint venture between Nissan and Dongfeng, called Venucia, would make an all-electric car in China by 2015. The news at the time was that this new EV would be something new, and not just a rebadged Nissan Leaf.

But, as revealed at the Beijing Motor Show this week, the new Venucia "e-concept" looks a whole heck of a lot like the Leaf, albeit in a slightly darker blue. The wheels and front fascia are new (and we like the e-concept's look a lot better than the Leaf's, but perhaps this is just because it's different), but it's pretty clear that this is a modified Leaf. To compare the two for yourself, click on the above picture - the only one we've found of the e-concept - to enlarge and then open this gallery in another tab. China Car Times says the Venucia is a little bit longer than the Leaf (by 38 mm, or 1.5 inches), the top speed is one kilometer per hour faster and the weight is up by five kilograms (11 pounds).

All that Nissan's official PR says is that this car, Venucia's first EV concept vehicle, is called the "e-concept" and "will be built locally in China under the VENUCIA brand by 2015." We've asked Nissan for more information, but for now we're going to go out on a limb and say that Nissan is planning on building a version of the Leaf in China within three years.

Venucia's first car will be the gasoline-powered D50, which will come in four grades and "delivers both high performance and fuel economy." Venucia wants to release five new models and sell 300,000 units a year by 2015.

Continue reading Nissan's Venucia JV will build Leaf look-alike electric car in China by 2015

Nissan's Venucia JV will build Leaf look-alike electric car in China by 2015 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>china leafelectric vehicleleafnissannissan chinanissan leafvenuciavenucia leafTue, 24 Apr 2012 13:46:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20222994/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20222994/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/24/nissans-venucia-jv-will-build-leaf-look-alike-in-china-by-2015/20222994/article-detail.xml 20222994 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/nissan-venucia-leaf-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/nissan-venucia-leaf-628.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan predicts Leaf sales jump, says diesels are unlikely]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/20/nissan-predicts-leaf-sales-jump-says-diesels-are-unlikely/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/20/nissan-predicts-leaf-sales-jump-says-diesels-are-unlikely/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/20/nissan-predicts-leaf-sales-jump-says-diesels-are-unlikely/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

nissan leaf

Don't count Nissan among automakers looking to crank up some new diesels anytime soon. Instead, the company will continue to push for plug-ins.

Nissan is expecting annual U.S. sales of its battery-electric Leaf to jump sixfold between 2011 and 2013 but is downplaying the possibility of selling a diesel-powered vehicle, Car and Driver said, citing company executives.

The Japanese automaker, which sold just under 9,700 Leafs last year, may more than double sales to 22,000 units this year and may surpass the 60,000-vehicle mark in 2013, according to Al Castignetti, a Nissan vice president and general manager. Nissan also said it was looking into plug-in hybrid-electric powertrains, but no specifics about timeframe or model were given.

As for diesels, Nissan once said (in 2007) that it would start selling a diesel-powered Maxima in 2010, but it is no longe likely to pursue that type of powertrain because of government restrictions and cost concerns, Pierre Loing, Nissan vice president for product strategy and planning told Car and Driver.

German automakers such as Volkswagen, Audi and Mercedes-Benz have relaunched diesel sales in the U.S. in recent years after decades of improving their performance in Europe. Meanwhile, General Motors said last year that it will introduce a diesel-powered Chevrolet Cruze to the U.S. next year. So far, Americans seem to be enjoying the option.

Nissan predicts Leaf sales jump, says diesels are unlikely originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dieseldiesel nissanelectric vehicleleafnissannissan leafnissan maximaplug-in hybridFri, 20 Apr 2012 19:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20219083/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20219083/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/20/nissan-predicts-leaf-sales-jump-says-diesels-are-unlikely/20219083/article-detail.xml 20219083 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/nissanleaf-1334808078_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/nissanleaf-1334808078.jpg <![CDATA[Infiniti LE will likely be built alongside Leaf in Tennessee]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/16/infiniti-le-will-likely-be-built-alongside-leaf-in-tennessee/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/16/infiniti-le-will-likely-be-built-alongside-leaf-in-tennessee/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/16/infiniti-le-will-likely-be-built-alongside-leaf-in-tennessee/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The first all-electric Infiniti, which is supposed to hit the market in 2014, will likely be built at the same Tennessee factory as the Nissan Leaf EV, Plugin Cars reported.

Two Nissan spokesmen told the Chicago Tribune that the company's factory in Smyrna, TN, was the most likely place where the Infiniti LE battery-electric would be built. Nissan is expected to start U.S. production of the Leaf at that factory by the end of the year, and the Infiniti will use the same (or, at least, very similar) battery pack that the Leaf does.

Infiniti, which showed off a concept version of the EV at the New York Auto Show last week, said the car will have about 22 percent more horsepower and 14 percent more torque than the Leaf, but will also be larger - about the same size as the Infiniti G sedan.

Like the Leaf, the car will have a range of around 100 miles, according to the automaker - though the EPA pegs the Leaf's range closer to 74 miles. No price has been set, though Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn said that the company will likely be able to lower the price of the Leaf once it's produced in the U.S. What that means for the upscale LE - which stands for "luxury electric," telling you which is more important - is not yet known.

Infiniti LE will likely be built alongside Leaf in Tennessee originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 08:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclefactoryinfinitiinfiniti LEleafnissansmyrnatennesseeMon, 16 Apr 2012 08:04:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20214733/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20214733/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/16/infiniti-le-will-likely-be-built-alongside-leaf-in-tennessee/20214733/article-detail.xml 20214733 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/infinitiev_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/infinitiev.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan Leaf getting upgraded looks, more range in Europe; lower price likely]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/12/nissan-leaf-getting-upgraded-looks-more-range-in-europe/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/12/nissan-leaf-getting-upgraded-looks-more-range-in-europe/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/12/nissan-leaf-getting-upgraded-looks-more-range-in-europe/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2012 nissan leaf

Nissan has been exporting all-electric Leaf vehicles from Oppama, Japan to both the U.S. and Europe for over a year, and that's been putting a ceiling on sales numbers and a limit on how low the price can go. To minimize these barriers, the Japanese automaker is getting factories ready in both Smyrna, TN and Sunderland, UK to serve the U.S. and European markets, respectively. Over in Europe, local production, which is scheduled to start in February, 2013, will also bring a few changes to the car.

Colin Lawther, vice president of Nissan engineering in Europe, recently told Automotive News that, "We'll fine tune the car for the European customer from a design point of view." Those fine-tunings include a longer range, better acceleration and a slightly different look. Oh, and the price should change, too. Nissan told AN that building in the UK will reduce costs by "about" a third, thanks to lower import taxes and less of an impact from a strong yen, but the price for the local EV has not yet been set.

As we learned recently, the U.S. version of the Leaf is also going to get some upgrades, including a better heater that can offer more miles from the battery pack. The same sort of cost reductions that will help the European Leaf will have an impact here once Nissan's Smyrna plant starts making the EV, but it's anyone's guess what the Tennessee-built Leaf will cost.

Nissan Leaf getting upgraded looks, more range in Europe; lower price likely originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 20:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 nissan leafelectric vehicleeuro-specleafnissannissan leafsmyrnasunderlandThu, 12 Apr 2012 20:03:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20214634/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20214634/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/12/nissan-leaf-getting-upgraded-looks-more-range-in-europe/20214634/article-detail.xml 20214634 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/2012-nissan-leaf-red8_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/2012-nissan-leaf-red8.jpg <![CDATA[Hybrids lead fastest growing segment but still may not be worth the extra price]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/09/hybrids-lead-fastest-growing-segment-but-still-may-not-be-worth/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/09/hybrids-lead-fastest-growing-segment-but-still-may-not-be-worth/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/09/hybrids-lead-fastest-growing-segment-but-still-may-not-be-worth/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

toyota prius

Hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery electrics accounted for the fastest-growing U.S. vehicle segment in terms of first-quarter sales, though they still may not be worth the extra price if all you're looking for is payback through lower refueling costs, according to separate reports.

First-quarter electric-drive vehicle sales jumped 49 percent from a year earlier to more than 117,000 vehicles, according to Bloomberg Businessweek. With such growth - both the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in hybrid and the Toyota Prius hybrid set monthly sales records in March - GM cut its previously planned production shutdown from four weeks to five and Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said Nissan Leaf battery-electric vehicle sales could grow further starting later this year once U.S. production of the car get underway. Domestic production might also lowering the EVs cost in America.

Last month, sales of hybrids, plug-ins and diesels rose almost 40 percent. In addition to the Prius and Volt, sales of the Nissan Leaf, Volkswagen diesels and General Motors' eAssist-powered mild hybrids such as the Buick LaCrosse and Chevy Malibu also jumped substantially.

The growth rate likely reflects the effect of both rising gas prices and year-earlier supply constraints on models such as the Prius stemming from the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan last March. Regular gas prices are approaching $4 a gallon, up about 60 cents this year, according to AAA.

Still, most hybrids would take more than a decade to pay off their higher costs in the form of lower refueling expenses, and that scenario wouldn't change even if gas prices were to rise to $5 a gallon, the New York Times reports, using data compiled by automotive research website TrueCar.com.

The Times says models such as the Prius and the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid pay back their owners within two years, but a car like the Ford Fusion Hybrid takes more than eight years to pay off at $4 a gallon and 15,000 miles a year driven. And even with gas prices at $6 a gallon, hybrid versions of the Toyota Camry Hybrid, Kia Optima and Hyundai Sonata would still take four years to pay off. Even with gas at $5 a gallon, a Nissan Leaf would take nine years to pay off the difference between is price and that of the Nissan Versa. Relative to the Chevy Cruze, the Volt could take a quarter-century to pay off.

We wondered about those numbers. The only comparisons that can honestly be made are between cars that have ICE-only and hybrid versions. So we did some math. The 2.5-liter I4 Fusion gets 25 miles per gallon combined and costs $24,970. Thus, fuel for 15,000 miles at $4.00 would be $2,400. The Fusion Hybrid gets 39 mpg combined and costs $29,570. Fuel for 15,000 miles in this car would be $1,538. So, the difference per year is $862. Given this, the Hybrid would pay back the initial price difference of $4,600 in 5.3 years, not eight. Of course, if you compare either of the more expensive and thirstier V6 versions, the numbers are even more favorable (2.8 years for the 3.0 V6, for example).

Perhaps buyers are driven by something other than payback times, like simply using less fuel. Whatever the reason, some lower-priced hybrids seem to be making a case that the extra price is worth it. For example, there were more Toyota Prius C compacts sold within its first three days on the market in March than Nissan Leaf battery-electric vehicles and Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-ins in all of February.

Hybrids lead fastest growing segment but still may not be worth the extra price originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 20:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletelectric vehicleelectric-driveleafnissanpaybackplug-in hybridpriustoyotavoltMon, 09 Apr 2012 20:08:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20210443/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20210443/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/09/hybrids-lead-fastest-growing-segment-but-still-may-not-be-worth/20210443/article-detail.xml 20210443 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/2012-toyota-prius-628f_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/2012-toyota-prius-628f.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan announces connectivity improvements for Altima, Leaf; should provide better range estimates]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/09/nissan-announces-connectivity-improvements-for-altima-leaf-sho/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/09/nissan-announces-connectivity-improvements-for-altima-leaf-sho/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/09/nissan-announces-connectivity-improvements-for-altima-leaf-sho/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

nissan altima

Nissan last week announced connectivity improvements for some of its models, including the upgraded Altima that is set to debut this summer as well as the Leaf battery-electric vehicle.

The Japanese automaker, which made the announcements at the New York Auto Show, said its NissanConnect system will launch in the new Altima this July. The system will include Google search and Google navigation capabilities as well as access to Pandora Internet radio.

Additionally, the Nissan Leaf will have improvements to its Carwings communications system, including algorithms that will improve accuracy in predicting the battery's driving range. Next year, Nissan will start installing the Intel-developed duel-display entertainment-communications system in its Infiniti vehicles.

The Altima "is our best-selling car in the United States," Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn said. "It's absolutely essential that this car plays an important role as, if not the most sold car in this segment, at least the second-most sold car in this segment."

Ghosn added that Nissan expects to be able to lower the price of the Leaf in the U.S. once the car and batteries start being assembled in Tennessee later this year.

Nissan unveiled the 2013 Altima in New York last week. The car, which Nissan says will get an estimated 38 miles per gallon, will start at $21,500. The fuel-economy gain - the four-cylinder 2012 Altima gets a combined 27 miles per gallon, according to the EPA - stems from improvements to its transmission's gear ratios as well as the fact that the car is about 80 pounds lighter than the previous model.

Continue reading Nissan announces connectivity improvements for Altima, Leaf; should provide better range estimates

Nissan announces connectivity improvements for Altima, Leaf; should provide better range estimates originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carlos ghosncarwingsconnectivityinfinitileafnew york international auto shownissannissanconnectMon, 09 Apr 2012 18:05:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20211515/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20211515/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/09/nissan-announces-connectivity-improvements-for-altima-leaf-sho/20211515/article-detail.xml 20211515 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/nissanaltima_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/nissanaltima.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan wants to 'Turn On' European cities to plug-in cars]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/09/nissan-wants-to-turn-on-european-cities-to-plug-in-cars/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/09/nissan-wants-to-turn-on-european-cities-to-plug-in-cars/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/09/nissan-wants-to-turn-on-european-cities-to-plug-in-cars/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

nissan big turn on

How bad do Europeans want plug-in cars? Nissan is using a campaign called the "Big Turn On" (wink, wink, nudge, nudge) to get people in various cities to compete for a prize of 30 Nissan quick chargers installed in that city. Of course, if Nissan installs a bunch of CHAdeMO quick chargers somewhere, it makes plug-in vehicles like, say, the Leaf, all the more appealing to buyers and a contest like this can only raise the EVs visibility. So, it's a win-win.

The Big Turn On aims to get a million people, well, turned on to electric driving in 100 days. To signify interest, drivers can click on the button on The Big Turn On website or take a Leaf for a test drive. They can also follow bloggers who are testing out the Leaf and we're sure there's a Facebook page for all this somewhere. There are mini-contests involved that will see Nissan giving away tablet computers and Leaf vehicles to some participants. Currently, Marseille is the most turned-on city, with over 31,000 people ready for EVs; Strasbourg is second with just over 18,000.

Nissan isn't only relying on social media to get people excited about EVs. The press release announcing the contest says that, "by the end of 2012, the Company will have given away over 400 quick chargers to local authorities and partners with the ultimate aim of developing a network of thousands of chargers and creating a number of Electric Highways to link cities across Europe." So, even if your city doesn't win this contest, a way to charge a Leaf to 80 percent full in a half hour could be just around the corner. Scroll down to see a video about The Big Turn On.

Continue reading Nissan wants to 'Turn On' European cities to plug-in cars

Nissan wants to 'Turn On' European cities to plug-in cars originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 12:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>big turn onchademoelectric vehicleleafnissannissan leafnissan quick chargerquick chargerthe big turn onMon, 09 Apr 2012 12:09:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20211391/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20211391/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/09/nissan-wants-to-turn-on-european-cities-to-plug-in-cars/20211391/article-detail.xml 20211391 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/nissan-the-big-turn-on-628_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/nissan-the-big-turn-on-628.png <![CDATA[Nissan marketing strategist misspeaks? Leaf "unlikely" to hit 20,000 sales target *UPDATE]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/07/nissan-marketing-strategist-misspeaks-leaf-unlikely-to-hit-20/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/07/nissan-marketing-strategist-misspeaks-leaf-unlikely-to-hit-20/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/07/nissan-marketing-strategist-misspeaks-leaf-unlikely-to-hit-20/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Nissan Leaf looking at 20,000 sales target and asking for the bar to be lowered
Successfully marketing a vehicle takes an orchestra of employees all playing from the same musical score, but sometimes, someone slips up. Such seemed the case this week for Nissan when, right in the middle of the Hallelujah chorus at the New York Auto Show, there was heard the off-key intonation of a sad trombone.

While conductor (and CEO) Carlos Ghosn was undeterred in his bold sales predictions and pointing his baton at a 2012 target of 20,000 units for the Leaf, no less than the director of Nissan Leaf marketing and sales strategy for North America, Brendan Jones, is reported to have said of the ambitious sales goal, "In 2012, I doubt it...it's unlikely." Oops.

The company quickly reacted to the sour note, saying that Jones had misspoken and insisting that the all-electric hatch would indeed hit its numbers. They Jones also massaged the message a bit, saying that, by 2012, they meant fiscal 2012. For Nissan, that calender runs from April 1 to March 31 and so the embarrassing low sales of early 2012 might not factor into the final count.

Though still seemingly high reaching, the three-month shift does make the goal look more plausible. Nissan maintains the Leaf is still supply-constrained and the adjusted window could allow the new Smyrna, TN plant enough time to ramp-up to meet demand. It may also help that the vehicles produced in the U.S. will offer more cold weather range and such niceties as optional leather seats.

UPDATE: Nissan's David Reuter told AutoblogGreen that, "We have not changed our commitment to sell 20,000 LEAF's in calendar year 2012. It was Brendan Jones who said fiscal year but we corrected that point as he misspoke. Domenick says in the post that we've changed the target to fiscal year '12, which we have not. We will sell 20,000 LEAF's in calendar year 2012."

Nissan marketing strategist misspeaks? Leaf "unlikely" to hit 20,000 sales target *UPDATE originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 07 Apr 2012 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleleafleaf salesnissannissan leafnissan leaf salessales targetSat, 07 Apr 2012 17:15:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20209814/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20209814/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/07/nissan-marketing-strategist-misspeaks-leaf-unlikely-to-hit-20/20209814/article-detail.xml 20209814 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/nissan-leaf-high-jump-628-1333786371_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/nissan-leaf-high-jump-628-1333786371.jpg <![CDATA[Carlos Ghosn: 27,000 Nissan Leafs sold worldwide; many, many more to come]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/04/carlos-ghosn-27-000-nissan-leafs-sold-worldwide-many-many-mor/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/04/carlos-ghosn-27-000-nissan-leafs-sold-worldwide-many-many-mor/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/04/carlos-ghosn-27-000-nissan-leafs-sold-worldwide-many-many-mor/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Carlos Ghosn is not backing down.

Giving the keynote speech at the 2012 New York Auto Show today, the president and CEO of Nissan said that he stands behind his prediction that EVs will make up 10 percent of the market by 2020 in the places they are available. He also said that he expects Nissan to sell 1.5 million zero emission cars by 2016.

Ghosh brushed off a question about somewhat slow Leaf sales by pointing out that the Leaf is still constrained by supply, given the earthquake and tsunami in Japan last year as well as the strong yen. Leaf production in the UK and U.S. that will start in the near future (later this year for Tennessee, early 2013 for Sunderland) will make the car more available to more people. "I don't want you to take a one-month or two-month sales result in one particular market to try to make your opinion about the evolution of a very important technology for the industry," he said. "I think the electric car will hold its promises. All the stars are lining up to make it a very important segment. ... I am not at all changing my bullish approach."

Ghosn has reason to be bullish. Nissan has sold 27,000 Leafs worldwide since introducing the car in late 2010, and 11,000 of those sales were in the U.S. And, he added, "The Nissan Leaf has had no quality problems."

Looking forward, Ghosn also said that the challenge is to reduce the cost, size and weight of the battery and "we have to do it fast" because government incentives will not last forever. Luckily, the industry has changed enough in the last half-decade to make this possible. He said:

One of the biggest evolutions we are seeing in our industry is the battery. As you know, when we started our electric car goals, it was in 2006, there were not a lot of battery makers in the world. Fortunately, with our drive and with the drive of other carmakers, the number of battery makers and companies investing in batteries has really been impressive. Today, you can find very good batteries, extremely competitive, in Korea, in Japan, in the United States. The Chinese are investing in batteries. ... The life of the battery is going to be longer than the life of the car.

Carlos Ghosn: 27,000 Nissan Leafs sold worldwide; many, many more to come originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carlos ghosnelectric vehicleleafnew yorknew york 2012new york auto shownissannissan leafWed, 04 Apr 2012 09:50:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20208230/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20208230/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/04/carlos-ghosn-27-000-nissan-leafs-sold-worldwide-many-many-mor/20208230/article-detail.xml 20208230 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/carlos-ghosn-nyas-2012_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/carlos-ghosn-nyas-2012.jpg <![CDATA[Reputation of electric cars takes a hit in Japan due to tsunami aftermath?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/03/reputation-of-electric-cars-takes-a-hit-in-japan-due-to-tsunami/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/03/reputation-of-electric-cars-takes-a-hit-in-japan-due-to-tsunami/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/03/reputation-of-electric-cars-takes-a-hit-in-japan-due-to-tsunami/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2011 Nissan Leaf undergoing IIHS crash test

Electric vehicle owners like to think of themselves as green, but that color may be taking on a more glowing, radioactive hue in Japan.

The ecologically friendly reputation of electric cars in Japan is taking a hit since last year's meltdowns of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant have made more people concerned about a primary source of electricity throughout the country, Bloomberg Businessweek reports.

The meltdown - caused my last March's earthquake and ensuing tsunami - created a 12-mile radius around Fukushima where people are barred because of radiation issues. Before last year's disaster, the Japanese government planned on having nuclear power eventually supply half of the country's electricity, up from a third, but those plans have been put on hold.

Nissan, which has said it expects to sell 1.5 million electric vehicles around the world by 2015, has sold just 12,000 battery-electric Leafs in Japan since launching the model in 2010, according to the report. There have been positive associations drawn between the EV and its role in the earthquake relief efforts (between the Mitsubishi i and the aftermath, too) and Nissan even touted the way some battery packs that were damaged in the quake survived intact.

Rising gas prices make charging an EV in Japan about 90 percent less expensive than filling a tank. That said, electricity prices may spike expenses stemming from fixing the Fukushima plant increase. The higher cost might be the way EVs could get lumped together with nuclear energy in some consumers' minds.

Reputation of electric cars takes a hit in Japan due to tsunami aftermath? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The plug-in vehicle sales situation is heating up, and Chevrolet is looking especially good now that its plug-in hybrid Volt has had it best sales month ever. Looks like Bob Lutz knew what he was talking about.

Chevy sold 2,289 Volts in March, up from 1,023 last month and 608 in March 2011. This beats the previous high-sales mark by almost 800 units. In December 2011, Chevy sold 1,529 Volts.

Meanwhile, Nissan sold 579 Leafs in March, up from 478 Leafs in February and just 298 in March 2011. 579 is not a record, though, as the best Leaf sales month ever was in June 2011, when it sold 1,708 units.

Both Chevy's and Nissan's overall vehicle sales for March were up around 12 percent. Official press releases from both companies are available after the jump. Our broader look at monthly green car sales is on the way.

Continue reading March sees record-high Chevy Volt sales with 2,289; Nissan Leaf holds the course with 579

March sees record-high Chevy Volt sales with 2,289; Nissan Leaf holds the course with 579 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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