2012 NISSAN JUKE SHIRO unveiled in Brussels

 2012 NISSAN JUKE SHIRO

 Launched at the 2012 Brussels Motor Show, Nissan Juke Shiro is aptly named. Shiro means white in Japanese, and the interior of the new version is dominated by a number of white flashes. The centre console, inspired by the shape of a motorcycle fuel tank, has until now only been available in red or grey; in Shiro, it's white. It's the same story when it comes to the door armrests which have white cappings.

Juke Shiro is available with all three engine choices – 110 hp 1.5-litre dCi; 117 hp normally aspirated 1.6-litre petrol; and the turbocharged direct injection petrol 1.6-litre DIG-T which develops 190 hp.. All are front-wheel drive and are coupled to a five- or six-speed manual transmission depending on the engine.

The Juke Shiro 1.6-litre DIG-T version is also available with Nissan’s advanced All-Mode 4×4-i four-wheel drive system which incorporates torque-vectoring technology and which is coupled to the latest generation CVT transmission.

 2012 NISSAN JUKE SHIRO

Built at Nissan's manufacturing plant in the UK, Juke has inspired customers across Europe and helped the Sunderland manufacturing plant reach an all-time production record during 2011 of 480,485 vehicles. Following in the hugely successful footsteps of its big crossover brother, Qashqai, Juke exceeded all expectations to sell over 136,282 units last year, a number that is expected to be beaten in 2012.

Comprehensive standard technology includes Nissan Connect - Nissan's advanced media, communication and navigation centre - a colour reversing camera, Intelligent Key with engine start button, heated front seats, Climate Control, automatic wipers and lights, folding door mirrors and rear privacy glass.

Also standard is the Nissan Dynamic Control System which gives the driver the chance to optimise the car's dynamic functions. Safety equipment includes ESP, six airbags, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist and three head restraints in the rear.

 2012 NISSAN JUKE SHIRO

Nissan Juke Shiro also benefits from a carefully selected accessory package which adds a number of useful features all designed to harmonise with Shiro's white interior features. It includes a centre armrest, complete with white stitching, which also provides additional storage; chrome plated sill protectors for the front door, illuminated in white; and Juke-branded velour floor mats for the front and rear.

Depending on the market, this package is either available as an option or as an integral part of the special Shiro version.

Since its launch in 2010, Juke has redefined the highly competitive B-Segment. Its combination of SUV toughness and sporting style sets it apart from class rivals with its unique design appealing to individual thinkers looking for something different - and the arrival of Nissan Juke Shiro increases the opportunity for them to make a real statement.

 2012 NISSAN JUKE SHIRO

In line with Nissan's philosophy of constant development, a significant engineering change was made to Juke during 2011. Revisions to the final drive ratio of the normally aspirated petrol and diesel models reduced emissions and enhanced refinement by lowering noise levels without affecting the lively acceleration of either car. Emissions from the manual version of the 117PS petrol 1.6 Juke are now 139g/km, while the 1.5 diesel produces just 129g/km allowing it to wear Nissan's PURE DRIVE badge, which signifies a model producing less than 130g/km.

2012 NISSAN JUKE SHIRO unveiled in Brussels

 2012 NISSAN JUKE SHIRO

 Launched at the 2012 Brussels Motor Show, Nissan Juke Shiro is aptly named. Shiro means white in Japanese, and the interior of the new version is dominated by a number of white flashes. The centre console, inspired by the shape of a motorcycle fuel tank, has until now only been available in red or grey; in Shiro, it's white. It's the same story when it comes to the door armrests which have white cappings.

Juke Shiro is available with all three engine choices – 110 hp 1.5-litre dCi; 117 hp normally aspirated 1.6-litre petrol; and the turbocharged direct injection petrol 1.6-litre DIG-T which develops 190 hp.. All are front-wheel drive and are coupled to a five- or six-speed manual transmission depending on the engine.

The Juke Shiro 1.6-litre DIG-T version is also available with Nissan’s advanced All-Mode 4×4-i four-wheel drive system which incorporates torque-vectoring technology and which is coupled to the latest generation CVT transmission.

 2012 NISSAN JUKE SHIRO

Built at Nissan's manufacturing plant in the UK, Juke has inspired customers across Europe and helped the Sunderland manufacturing plant reach an all-time production record during 2011 of 480,485 vehicles. Following in the hugely successful footsteps of its big crossover brother, Qashqai, Juke exceeded all expectations to sell over 136,282 units last year, a number that is expected to be beaten in 2012.

Comprehensive standard technology includes Nissan Connect - Nissan's advanced media, communication and navigation centre - a colour reversing camera, Intelligent Key with engine start button, heated front seats, Climate Control, automatic wipers and lights, folding door mirrors and rear privacy glass.

Also standard is the Nissan Dynamic Control System which gives the driver the chance to optimise the car's dynamic functions. Safety equipment includes ESP, six airbags, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist and three head restraints in the rear.

 2012 NISSAN JUKE SHIRO

Nissan Juke Shiro also benefits from a carefully selected accessory package which adds a number of useful features all designed to harmonise with Shiro's white interior features. It includes a centre armrest, complete with white stitching, which also provides additional storage; chrome plated sill protectors for the front door, illuminated in white; and Juke-branded velour floor mats for the front and rear.

Depending on the market, this package is either available as an option or as an integral part of the special Shiro version.

Since its launch in 2010, Juke has redefined the highly competitive B-Segment. Its combination of SUV toughness and sporting style sets it apart from class rivals with its unique design appealing to individual thinkers looking for something different - and the arrival of Nissan Juke Shiro increases the opportunity for them to make a real statement.

 2012 NISSAN JUKE SHIRO

In line with Nissan's philosophy of constant development, a significant engineering change was made to Juke during 2011. Revisions to the final drive ratio of the normally aspirated petrol and diesel models reduced emissions and enhanced refinement by lowering noise levels without affecting the lively acceleration of either car. Emissions from the manual version of the 117PS petrol 1.6 Juke are now 139g/km, while the 1.5 diesel produces just 129g/km allowing it to wear Nissan's PURE DRIVE badge, which signifies a model producing less than 130g/km.

Nissan delivers first Leaf in France

Nissan West Europe brings electric mobility to France with delivery of the country's first 100% electric Nissan LEAF.

Mr. and Mrs. Gerbaud took delivery of their white Nissan LEAF at NISSAN COURIANT in Aix-en-Provence on August 2nd. This groundbreaking moment represents France's first delivery of the 2011 European and World Car of the Year. This early delivery is also a demonstration of the company's effort to recover from the natural disaster of March 11th in Japan and the readiness of Nissan's EV dealer network in France.

Carine Gerbaud will mainly use her Nissan LEAF for daily commuting to her workplace. As she drives 80km per day on average, the Nissan LEAF's homologated range of 175km with a full charge is sufficient to cover her needs. Philippe Gerbaud said that their decision to buy an electric vehicle was not only to "preserve the environment" but also driven by the particularly low running costs the Nissan LEAF offers: less than 2€ per 100 km in France compared with about €7 for a similarly-equipped diesel family car.

"We've been spending 400€ per month at the petrol station. From now, we should only pay 60€ per month in electricity. The extra cost of the vehicle will be recovered in one year after which the monthly fuel saving can be used as a contribution towards the monthly finance repayments" explains Mr. Gerbaud.

The price of the 100% electric Nissan LEAF is €30,990 in France, after incentives and including the batteries which benefits from a five-year/100,000 km warranty. The French government's incentive for electric vehicles amounts to 5,000 euros. In order to make electric motoring even more accessible to individual customers in France, the Nissan LEAF is also available through a private finance scheme

Eric Couriant from Nissan Couriant in Aix-en-Provence applied to become a certified EV dealer because he believes "Nissan is making history by bringing sustainable mobility to the mass market and we wanted to be part of it". "Most customers testing the Nissan LEAF are very positively surprised by the performance, the comfort, the roominess and the range of the Nissan LEAF." Mr. Couriant added.

Nissan Couriant in Aix-en-Provence is one of the 14 certified EV dealers (along with Chambourcy, Clermont-Ferrand, Grenoble, Marseille, Maurepas, Montpellier, Nantes, Nice, Nîmes, Paris 12ème , Perpignan, Strasbourg, Toulouse) to sell the Nissan LEAF in France. This list is expected to grow rapidly in the near future.

Deliveries of Nissan LEAF have already begun in the UK, the Netherlands, the Republic of Ireland and Portugal. Order books have also opened in Switzerland, Spain, Belgium and Norway with customers in those markets expected to start receiving their cars shortly.

Nissan LEAF battery technology Explained [video]

Nissan Corporate Vice-President Simon Sproule gives a detailed explanation about the Nissan LEAF battery technology.

Nissan says electric car can power family home [video]

Nissan's Leaf electric car can feed power from its battery back into a family home and run appliances for up to two days under a new project the Japanese car-maker unveiled Tuesday.
Using the "Leaf to Home" system, the lithium-ion batteries of the zero tailpipe emission Leaf can be used as an emergency power backup for the home during a natural disaster or a power blackout, Nissan said.

Nissan, 44 percent owned by Renault of France, said it aims to commercialize the technology in Japan by March 2012.

The system works by linking the car via a quick charging port to the house's electricity distribution panel. Power can also be fed the other way if the house generates its own electricity with rooftop solar panels.

The Leaf batteries have a capacity of 24 kilowatt hours when fully charged, equivalent to the electricity used by the average Japanese household in two days, said the company.

The output from the vehicle comes to six kilowatts, enough to power electricity-guzzling appliances such as a refrigerator, air conditioner and washing machine at the same time, the company said.

Nissan says as well as its potential use in blackouts, the car can be charged during night time off-peak hours and the electricity used by households during high-demand periods.

Nissan claims electric car was not given fair chance by Top Gear

Nissan has slammed BBC show Top Gear for its unflattering and, it claims, 'unfair' review of its new electric car. The motor company insists its Nissan Leaf electric car was not given a fair chance in Sunday's episode, when it was shown breaking down after running out of juice in Lincolnshire. This left presenter Jeremy Clarkson 'stranded' and co-host James May having to get out and push.

Nissan has accused Top Gear of misleading viewers by deliberately running down the battery, and says a monitoring system installed on the car can prove it. The telematics device showed the battery was at 40 percent when Clarkson set off on his journey. But Nissan says the car was fully charged when it handed it to the BBC with enough power to go 100 miles and not the mere 30 it lasted.

Its executive vice-president, Andy Palmer, told the Times that it appeared the car had been driven in loops for more than 10 miles around Lincoln to flatten the battery.

But the BBC has denied that Sunday night's episode misled viewers. "The point of the film was to show how bad the charging infrastructure is in the UK. The car needed to run out of charge so that it could be demonstrated," a spokesperson told The Times.

Nissan to invest $68M to add Leaf motor production to US plant [video]

Nissan Americas today confirmed that, starting in early 2013, it will produce the electric motor for the Nissan LEAF at its Decherd, Tenn., powertrain assembly plant.

Preparation of the plant for electric motor production, facilitated by U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program loan funds, will include addition of a new assembly line and will create up to 90 new jobs.

When the new assembly line is completed, the plant will have the capacity to produce up to 150,000 electric motors annually for Nissan LEAFs, which will be built at the company's assembly plant in Smyrna, Tenn.

"Nissan's Tennessee operations are paving the way to a zero-emission future for everyone," said Bill Krueger, vice chairman of Nissan Americas. "By delivering motors for the first mass-produced electric vehicles manufactured in the United States, our Decherd plant will play a vital role in making zero-emission mobility a reality for American consumers."

The work to support the electric motor assembly line represents the fifth addition to Nissan's Decherd operations, which began production in 1997. The new assembly line will be located within the existing facility using 100,000 sq.-ft. of available floor space, and will feature highly automated, state-of-the-art equipment including wire winding machines, magnetization and magnet insertion equipment, varnishing and hot press equipment and test equipment.

Today, the 1.2 million sq.-ft. Decherd plant produces engines and components for Nissan vehicles built in North America, and also houses engine casting and forging operations. The plant currently has the capacity to produce 950,000 engines, 1.1 million crankshaft forgings and 192,000 cylinder-block castings annually.

Nissan will produce the Nissan LEAF and the batteries that power it at its Smyrna manufacturing complex. The advanced, lithium-ion battery plant is on track to be operational late next year at approximately the same time LEAF production is targeted to begin in Smyrna.

Autocar drives the Nissan Leaf Nismo RC [video]

Autocar's Colin Goodwin had the rare opportunity to test drive the Nissan Leaf Nismo RC prototype racer around "Britain's fastest racing circuit" Goodwood.

However, Autocar's selection of a test driver who starts complaining the moment he gets in the car and who is a fan of "piston engines" spoils the video.

2012 Nissan Leaf upgraded for America

Nissan North America Inc. is expanding availability of the all-electric Nissan LEAF to U.S. consumers for the 2012 model year, with upgrades based on feedback from the thousands of owners who already have driven several millions of miles in the first 100-percent electric car for the mass market.

The Nissan LEAF, enriched with additional standard equipment including quick charging and cold-weather features for the 2012 model year, now will be available for order in the Southeastern United States and Illinois.

"Many enthusiastic consumers have eagerly anticipated ordering a Nissan LEAF of their own, and now we can make zero-emissions mobility a reality in more markets," said Brian Carolin, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing, Nissan North America. "In response to direct feedback from Nissan LEAF owners, the features that customers want most will come standard on the 2012 Nissan LEAF - including quick charging and cold-weather features."

Nissan on July 25 will open up the ordering process to consumers with existing reservations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

After the prioritized ordering phase for existing reservations in those markets, Nissan on Aug. 4 will open new reservations and orders to the general public, both in these new markets, as well as places where the Nissan LEAF already has been on sale (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington). Expected delivery of the first 2012 Nissan LEAFs will begin in the fall.

The MY12 vehicle features product enhancements that incorporate feedback from early LEAF drivers, including standardizing the most popular options. These features include:
DC Fast Charge capability standard on Nissan LEAF SL: The vast majority of MY11 consumers have opted for the DC fast charge port, which allows the vehicle to be charged at 480V - reducing charging time to under 30 minutes for charging the vehicle to 80 percent from a fully depleted state. As DC fast charge stations proliferate across the country, Nissan expects this feature to become even more popular. For 2012, fast-charging capability will be standard on the SL trim level.

Cold weather features standard on Nissan LEAF: As the Nissan LEAF rolls out to U.S. markets with colder climates, cold weather features become standard equipment on all trim levels of the Nissan LEAF. These include a battery warmer, heated steering wheel, and heated seats in both the front and rear.
The manufacturer's suggested retail price of the 2012 Nissan LEAF is $35,200 for the SV trim level, and $37,250 for the SL trim level. The monthly lease price will begin at a highly competitive $369.
Nissan will expand into additional new markets as the year continues. In the fall, orders from existing reservations and new reservations will begin in Connecticut, Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York. By the end of the year, Delaware, Indiana, Louisiana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island will be added as markets where the Nissan LEAF will be available for order.

More than 4,000 Nissan LEAFs have been delivered to U.S. customers, and Nissan, as it begins the next phase of the launch, continues to learn from them. While 82 percent have never previously owned a Nissan, a full 75 percent considered no other vehicle than the Nissan LEAF in their purchase decision. On a whole, these early adopters report that they are using the Nissan LEAF as their primary car, and driving it far more than was originally anticipated. These consumers, most of whom are highly educated and have high income levels, are technologically savvy, environmentally conscious, and consider themselves advocates for electric-car technology.

Nissan and 4R Energy Develop new Solar EV Charging System

Nissan and 4R Energy Corporation today announced that the two companies have developed a charging system for electric vehicles that combines a solar power generation system with high-capacity lithium-ion batteries. Testing of this new charging system began today at Nissan's Global Headquarters in Yokohama.

With the new charging system, electricity is generated through solar cells installed at Nissan's Global Headquarters, and is stored in lithium-ion batteries which are equivalent to four units of Nissan LEAFs. With seven charging stations (three quick charge, four normal charge) located in the headquarter grounds, the total electricity that can be generated and stored is the equivalent to fully charging approximately 1,800 Nissan LEAFs annually.

This new system will enable electric vehicles, which do not emit any CO2 when driven, to be charged through a completely renewable energy source. This is one solution to create a cycle where CO2 emissions resulting from driving is zero. By using the same lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles as stationary storage batteries, electricity can also be supplied to EVs regardless of the time of day or weather, enabling efficient use of renewable energy sources.

4R Energy Corporation, a joint venture established by Nissan and Sumitomo Corporation in September 2010, has already started tests on a compact electricity storage system installed with second-life lithium ion batteries previously used in Nissan LEAFs. Based on the outcome of this larger system, 4R Energy plans to enter the market of mid-sized electricity storage systems for commercial and public facilities.

Nissan and 4R Energy Corporation will continue various efforts to help move toward a sustainable, zero-emission society.
Demonstration test outline Solar cell: Maximum power output: 40kW (Solar Frontier)
Power conditioner: Rated power output: 40kW (10kW×4)
(Sanyo Denki Co., Ltd.)
Storage battery capacity: 96kWh (Automotive Energy Supply Corporation)
Grid management unit: Rated power output: 200kW
(Sanyo Denki Co., Ltd.)
EV charging equipment: Quick charger: 3 (50kW×3)
Regular charger:4 (3.3kW×14)
Outline of 4R Energy Corporation President: Takashi Sakagami
Company Address: Queen's Tower C 12F, 2-3-5, Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama City
Capital: 450 million yen
Date of Establishment: September 14, 2010
Stakeholders: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (51%)
Sumitomo Corporation (49%)
Business Description: Demonstration tests and commercialization study for the second-life use of lithium-ion batteries previously used in EVs

Fully Charged INFINITI M35h Hybrid Test Drive [video]

Robert Llewellyn takes a drive to the Red Bull Formula 1 workshops in the Infiniti M35h Hybrid.

Nissan Leaf sales surpass 4,000 in U.S.

Since its launch in December 2010, Nissan has delivered more than 4,000 Nissan LEAF electric vehicles in the United States. The Nissan LEAF currently is available in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Tennessee, Texas, Oregon and Washington, with additional markets launching later this year. To date, more than 350,000 people have expressed interest in the Nissan LEAF by signing up for updates, including information on how to purchase and reserve a vehicle, at www.NissanUSA.com.

"As the Nissan LEAF gains momentum in its U.S. rollout, more consumers have expressed the desire to get behind the wheel and experience gas-free driving for themselves," said Jon Brancheau, vice president, Marketing, NNA. "We're thrilled to bring the 'Drive Electric Tour' to new cities across the country, as well as revisit several key markets where consumer interest continues to grow."

The Drive Electric Tour, a one-of-a-kind consumer driving experience, began in October 2010 and by March 27 had provided approximately 50,000 Nissan LEAF test drives in key markets across the country. The tour provides prospective Nissan LEAF owners the opportunity to learn about the car, its technology and features, and take it for a test drive. Current Nissan LEAF owners also are invited to participate and share their ownership experiences with others interested in electric-vehicle technology.

Nissan Leaf to go on sale in Norway this Autumn

The 100% electric Nissan LEAF will go on sale in Norway this autumn, making Norway the ninth market in Europe to launch the award-winning, zero-emission vehicle.

At 255,000 NOK, the European and World Car of the Year will cost about the same as a regular compact family hatchback, but with considerably lower running costs. Running costs in Norway are estimated at less than 12 NOK per 100 km. The price includes the battery (which carries a five-year/100,000 km warranty), a five-year subscription to the unique telematic service, and EV specific roadside assistance.

Nissan LEAF is exempt from non-recurring vehicle tax and VAT in Norway. The car is also exempt from public parking fees and toll payments.

"We are confident Nissan LEAF with its family-sized practicality, zero emission tailpipe and ultra-low running costs will appeal to customers in Norway, just like it has appealed to thousands of other customers around the world," said Guillaume Cartier, Managing Director, Nissan Nordic Europe.

Interested customers should head to the Nissan website - http://www.nissan.no/ - where they can find more details about the ground-breaking car.

Nissan LEAF comes fully equipped with air conditioning, satellite navigation, rear-view parking camera, a quick charge socket and innovative smart-phone connectivity that will allow users to heat or cool the interior of the car remotely via a mobile phone allowing for better range management.

The car also comes equipped with the following items for the Nordic climate:
heated front seats
heated rear seats
heated mirrors
heated steering wheel
battery heating system

Deliveries of Nissan LEAF - which has a range between charges of up to 175 km as tested over the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) - have already begun in the UK, the Netherlands, the Republic of Ireland and Portugal. Order books have also opened in Switzerland, France, Spain and Belgium with customers in those markets expected to start receiving their cars shortly. The first deliveries in Norway are expected to start by the end of this year.

Nissan LEAF recently received a top five-star safety rating from the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP), making it one of the safest cars on the road in Europe.

Japan Post Service starts testing Nissan NV200 Electric Van

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. will begin global proving tests starting July 2011 of an electric vehicle (EV) based on the compact commercial vehicle NV200. For the first phase, the Japan Post Service Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Shinichi Nabekura) will carry out a test in Japan starting July. One test vehicle will be provided to carry out postal collection and delivery tasks for approximately two months in the city of Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture, to evaluate the vehicle's capabilities under a customer's normal usage conditions. Later, similar proving tests will be carried out both in Japan and Europe, where similar evaluations will be carried out with other companies.　　
　　　　　　　　　　
Japan Post Test Car　
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
"The role that can be played by zero emissions vehicles in promoting a balance between economic growth and environmental protection in the realm of logistics is large" said Nissan Corporate Vice President Hideto Murakami,　responsible for the Global LCV Business Unit. "We will certainly reflect the customer feedback gained from these proving tests in our future product development, and I expect that our commercial electric vehicles based on the NV200 will contribute to our customers' business and to the development of a sustainable society".

The NV200 was recently chosen as the next generation New York taxi. It is a model aimed for customers around the world, the next-generation compact commercial vehicle suited for a wide variety of situations including business, daily use, or leisure. The NV200 is available in Japan and Europe since FY2009 and China and Singapore from FY2010, and future launches are planned for the U.S. and India. In total, the NV200 is sold in approximately 40 countries throughout the world, and has received positive feedback from customers for its spacious interior, fuel economy, excellent driving performance, and attractive design. At the end of 2009 it was awarded "International Van of the Year 2010" that was based on the selection of journalists from 20 European countries. In March 2011, it was awarded the "Universal Design Award", one of the most authoritative awards in universal design, and the "Universal Design Consumer's Favorite Award", marking the first time in automotive industry to be awarded both awards.

A Nissan Leaf Laps Laguna Seca [video]

Stock Nissan Leaf at Laguna Seca for Refuel 2011. Best lap during the TT event was a 2:10.

Nissan Leaf set bench mark in EV production class @ Pikes Peak

Under beautiful blue skies at the 89th running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb yesterday, veteran Nissan off-road truck racing champion Chad Hord and the 100 percent electric Nissan LEAF made history as the first winners of the Electric Production Class. The LEAF completed the run with a time of 14 minutes 33 seconds for the 12.42 mile run. Even though the LEAF was virtually stock except for interior safety modifications and more aggressive wheels and tires, it out ran several competitors with highly modified internal combustion engines.

The race is run on a 12.42 mile course with 156 turns that begins at 9,390 feet and finishes at the 14,110 foot summit of Pikes Peak. As the drivers climb toward the summit, the thin air slows reflexes and saps muscle strength. The thin air also robs internal combustion engines of up to 30% of their power at the summit but the LEAF's electric motor is not impacted by the thin air. It produces the same amount of power at the start and the summit.

The LEAF zipped from corner to corner in near silence other than the sound of squealing tires and the high pitched sound of a warning beeper installed at the request of the race organizers to warn spectators and workers. The LEAF comes from the factory with a pedestrian warning system that is active up to about 30 miles per hour but since the LEAF was traveling much faster on the course a supplemental system was a good way to warn those along the course that it was approaching.

"The LEAF was great fun to drive up the mountain" said Hord. "With the instant torque from the electric motor we were able to jump out of the many slow corners and the performance was very consistent from the bottom to the top since the electric motor wasn't affected by the high altitude near the summit like the gasoline powered cars."

Since the competitors can only practice a third of the run at a time during the week leading up to the race, today was the first time Chad and the LEAF had completed the entire race distance in a single run. "The Nissan LEAF and Chad both performed flawlessly this week" said Ron Stukenberg, senior manager, Marketing Communications, Motorsports. "This was an innovative way to demonstrate that 100 percent electric vehicles perform very well in highly demanding situations like the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb."

Fresh off his first ever Traxxas TORC series podium finish in his Nissan Frontier last weekend at Crandon International Speedway, Colorado Springs resident Brad Lovell made it two in a row with a second place finish in the tough Pikes Peak Open class in a time of 12 minutes and 33 seconds. This was done in the same truck that finished second at Crandon despite the very different nature of the course at Pikes Peak verses that at Crandon.

How does the Nissan LEAF Nismo RC compare to a standard Leaf? [video]

During the shooting of GT Academy in Silverstone, Colin Price of Nissan takes us through a side-by-side comparison of Nissan's 100% electric Nismo Race Car, and the Nissan LEAF from which it was born.

AAA Plans Electric-Vehicle Charger Trucks

AAA, the largest U.S. motorist group, plans to deploy fast-charging trucks to aid drivers of electric vehicles such as Nissan Motor Co.’s Leaf when their batteries run down.

The organization will test the trucks starting in August, Christie Hyde, a spokeswoman for Orlando, Florida-based AAA, said today. Initially, the group will have at least six “mobile charging units,” including in states such as California, Oregon, Washington, Florida, Tennessee and Georgia, she said.

“We know electric vehicles are coming and we’ve got to be ready for them,” Hyde said. She declined to provide details on the cost or makers of the units and said AAA will test chargers from multiple suppliers.

Models such as the Leaf and Tesla Motors Inc. (TSLA)’s Roadster are already available and major automakers are preparing to offer more electric vehicles, prompting development of charging infrastructure. Governments are pushing carmakers to boost fuel efficiency and trim emissions of carbon dioxide and pollutants.

With the prospect of more electric cars, power companies are upgrading their networks with so-called smart meters and new transformers to ensure customers can recharge their vehicles at home without difficulty. Companies such as General Electric Co. are developing charging stations.
AAA will unveil its first “mobile charging unit” at an electric vehicle conference in Raleigh, North Carolina, in July, Hyde said. Edmunds.com’s Auto Observer blog reported AAA’s plans earlier today.

Following Japan

The U.S. plans come after Nissan and the Japan Automobile Federation this month said they’d also test charger trucks to repower stalled electric cars on that nation’s roads.

Nissan’s Leaf travels about 70 miles in combined city and highway driving per charge, while Tesla’s $109,000 Roadster is rated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as getting more than 200 miles per charge.

Nissan, which aims to be the world’s largest seller of electric cars, is aware of at least two incidents in which Leaf drivers drained their lithium-ion batteries and needed assistance, Katherine Zachary, a spokeswoman for the Yokohama, Japan-based company, said last week.

Renault and Better Place partner in Australia to launch Fluence Z.E. in 2012 [video]

Better Place and Renault today announced a strategic partnership in Australia, expanding their global relationship by bringing the world’s first mass market, zero-emission car with a switchable battery to the region. Under this agreement, Renault will import the first electric car equipped with a switchable battery, the Fluence Z.E. into Australia, and Better Place will provide the electric car charging network and services that make the car more convenient and affordable for the mass market.

Renault and Better Place will commence a joint marketing campaign in the lead up to launch in 2012. The cars will arrive in Australia by the middle of 2012 for the first customers in Canberra, with general sales due to commence later in the year. Customers will buy the Fluence Z.E. from Renault and sign up for a Better Place membership package that is tailored for their driving needs.

Renault Fluence Z.E.

Renault has developed Fluence Z.E., an elegant, family electric car that features a switchable battery. As the first production mid size sedan electric vehicle, Renault Fluence Z.E. targets both private motorists and fleet operators who are looking for a vehicle that is both economical to run and respectful of the environment.

The switchable battery technology completely offsets the range limitation of traditional EVs, as a depleted battery can be exchanged for a fully charged one at Better Place’s fully automated battery switch stations. The car will be fully compliant with ADR. The Fluence Z.E. will offer Australian drivers a range of 185 kilometers on a full charge, under the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC); however the effective range of the vehicle is unlimited. This infinite range is due to the convenience of the switchable batteries that enable drivers to immediately “fill up” their Fluence Z.E. via a fully automated process in any Better Place battery switch station, in less time than it takes to fill up with petrol.

A widespread infrastructure and an attractive offer

Better Place is building and operating the first fully integrated electric car charging network in Australia, and it will be the infrastructure provider for the innovative Fluence Z.E. Better Place has announced its plans to begin the deployment of its infrastructure in Canberra, Australia’s capital city, starting in late 2011, with a progressive national rollout to follow. By 2013 Better Place will give Australia the largest electric car charge network in the world, which is expected to outpace current deployment plans in market-leading countries including the US and China.

The Better Place membership provides unlimited access to batteries, the network of public charge spots and battery switch stations, and personal charge spots at home or work. The membership also includes supply of 100% renewable electricity, personalised energy management and navigation services via in-car and network software and 24-hour access to customer service and support. The membership packages give drivers a fixed price for their mobility, freeing them form the constant volatility of petrol prices.

When combined with the Better Place network, the Renault Fluence Z.E. is the first mass-market, electric car with unlimited range. It gives Australian drivers the same freedom they enjoy with a petrol car, but with zero oil and zero emissions.

A comprehensive network to purchase and maintain Fluence Z.E.

Customers will be able to purchase Fluence Z.E. in selected Renault dealers, as well as through Better Place Experience Centres. Those centres will provide visitors with a full experience of electric mobility. As for maintenance, most Renault dealers will provide after sales for Fluence Z.E., both for regular service and specific repairs.

Zero-emission mobility, a concept adapted to Australian cities

Renault and Better Place are committed to promoting zero-emission mobility, primarily for urban and suburban driving. Australian homes have an average of 2.7 cars per household and one million new passenger and light commercial vehicles are sold every year. Average fuel consumption is 11 l/100 km and average mileage 20,000 to 25,000 km a year. The petroleum cost per household is 45% higher in Australia than in France owing to higher mileage.

Renault-Nissan Alliance opens Silicon Valley research office

Directly across from the Google campus and minutes from leading hardware and software companies, the offices in Mountain View will allow one of the world's largest automotive groups to capitalize on the region's world-class engineering talent and stay ahead of trends that are reshaping the way people interact with their cars.

The office will build staff organically to focus on specific projects and business developments as they emerge. Small, highly efficient teams will initially work on vehicle IT development, advanced engineering research and technology recruitment.

"The Alliance is at the vanguard of the auto industry's shift to sustainable transportation. Having a greater footprint in one of the world's headquarters for clean tech research will extend our lead further," said Carlos Ghosn, CEO and Chairman of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, who is giving a talk at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR) today. Ghosn's "Clean Cars" presentation at Stanford will focus on how and why zero-emission technologies is leading to unprecedented opportunities in the auto industry and economy.

Created in 1999, the Renault-Nissan Alliance is a unique partnership between two of the largest automakers in Europe and Japan. Renault and Nissan, which together employ more than 350,000 workers, sold 7.2 million cars in 2010 – about one in 10 cars worldwide. Paris-based Renault and Yokohama-based Nissan collaborate through joint purchasing, platform sharing and cross-shareholding. They maintain separate brands and cultural identities.

$5.4 Billion Commitment to Sustainable Mobility
The Nissan LEAF, which debuted last year, is the world's first affordable, mass-marketed pure electric vehicle, and it's the first product from the Alliance's $5.4 billion investment in zero-emission cars. Upcoming debuts include an Infiniti premium electric sedan, the Renault Twizy urban commuter car for Europe, and utility vans for commercial fleets. All can be charged purely with renewable energy, for 100 percent zero emissions "well to wheel."

Nissan will use the Silicon Valley office to focus on vehicle IT research, including graphical user-interface displays, in-car Internet connectivity and smart-grid research. Nissan's "Carwings" telematics system, a standard in every Nissan LEAF, includes a seven-inch touchscreen with maps of recharging stations and real-time reports on energy consumption. Nissan has delivered more than 7,500 LEAFs worldwide.

Renault, one of the largest carmakers in Europe, will be launching a broad range of affordable, zero-emission cars for overseas markets. Renault Fluence ZE, which debuts later this year in Europe and the Middle East, has a folding floor that enables a battery swap in less time than it takes to fill a car with gasoline. The Renault Twizy ZE is a two-seat urban commuter car, and the Renault Kangoo ZE is a utility van that is convenient and cost-effective for deliveries and other fleet uses.

Renault's Silicon Valley work will focus on research and advanced engineering, in particular electric vehicles and their supplier and infrastructure ecosystem, on-board services and business development.