Nissan and Eaton have announced a partnership that will use their respective expertise in lithium-ion batteries and power electronics to create commercially viable energy storage and control centers that offer a productive second life for Nissan’s EV batteries after their days on the road. The two companies will deploy a module that combines retired LEAF… Read more »
EVs are slowly making inroads into taxi fleets, especially in Europe. Visitors to Amsterdam enjoy the Tesla taxis that serve the airport, but the continent’s leading manufacturer of e-cabs is Nissan, with more than 550 electric taxis on European roads (including both the LEAF and the e-NV200 commercial van). The company delivered over 100 EVs… Read more »
Renault, in partnership with electric utility EDF and others, is installing 90 new EV charge spots in and around Paris for the upcoming COP21 global summit on climate change. The charging stations, several of which will be donated by Schneider Electric, will be used to charge 200 EVs serving as VIP shuttles for conference attendees…. Read more »
Much of the press coverage about EVs these days concerns European automakers’ putative plans to produce luxury sedans and SUVs to compete with Tesla. However, the world’s leader in EV sales has other ideas. Asked by a journalist at the recent Tokyo Motor Show if Renault-Nissan planned to build a large luxury EV to compete… Read more »
Nissan recently invited a small group of journalists to its Advanced Technology Center in Atsugi, near Tokyo, ostensibly to show them the IDS concept vehicle now on display at the Tokyo Motor Show. However, Bertel Schmitt, an old Japan hand, soon surmised that the reporters were looking at “the future Nissan LEAF in drag,” and… Read more »
Don’t know about you, but I sure am ready for e-mobility to reach that critical mass, that tipping point, that hundredth monkey buying an EV. A couple of Nissan execs believe that the blessed event will occur around 2019-2020. Speaking at Nissan’s Yokohama headquarters this week, corporate officers Hiroto Saikawa and Akiko Hoshino told reporters… Read more »
The 2016 Chevrolet Volt is a tour de force of engineering, a substantial step forward over its predecessor (see our cover story in the current issue of Charged). However, some EV industry observers fear that unless GM follows up on the technical improvements with some meaningful marketing, an area in which EV-makers have fallen short… Read more »
Dutch charging network operator Fastned has partnered with Nissan to offer two years of free fast charging to new LEAF buyers. The EV Carefree package, which will be standard with new LEAFs sold in the Netherlands, includes a replacement vehicle for holidays, a service package and a home charging system, as well as two years… Read more »
Responding to the consistent consumer clamor for more range, Nissan has equipped the 2016 LEAF with an optional 30 kWh battery pack that provides an EPA-estimated range of 107 miles – a 27% increase over the current 24 kWh pack. The LEAF comes in three trim levels, and the new battery is standard on the… Read more »
The new and improved 2016 LEAF, which may reach dealers in October, is expected to have substantially increased range, but that’s about all we know at this point – Nissan has yet to release any details. However, it may be that an Indiana Nissan dealer has just spilled the beans. Andy Mohr Avon Nissan ( via Green… Read more »