Car giant Nissan announces range of electric vehicles
James Kerr
24th July 2009
Motor car manufacturer Nissan has announced plans to launch the first dedicated range of Zero Electric Emission (ZEV) vehicles, with the UK set for a leading role in the company’s switch to electric-powered cars.
The move follows the announcement last week that the company’s Sunderland plant will be a key supplier of battery packs for electric vehicles in the European market from 2011, and is also set to become a UK and European centre of excellence for ZEV technologies.
Nissan announced that it will roll out a range of ZEVs, commencing with a five-door family hatchback, from 2010. The model will be introduced into the Japanese market, with a projected appearance on European roads by 2011. With mass production due to begin in 2012, Nissan anticipates that ZEVs will comprise 10 per cent of its European sales by 2020.
The company has carried out extensive research into European motoring habits, and with 80 per cent of European drivers travelling less than 62 miles per day, the company believes a ZEV’s range of 100 miles should satisfy the majority of everyday motoring needs. For longer journeys, the company points to planned motorway fast-charge stations; these will allow holiday drivers, for example, to keep their car’s battery charged. Nissan has also announced plans to introduce a partnership programme with a major car rental company, which will entitle Nissan ZEV owners to discounted rental costs on petrol or diesel-powered cars for use on longer journeys.
The company is keen to address issues of user-friendliness to ensure that the next generation of ZEVs is a success. It has been at the forefront of negotiations among the leading car manufacturers to facilitate the introduction of uniform charging plugs across the global motor industry. This universal standard, which will ensure that the charging infrastructure can handle any make or model of car in any town or city, is particularly relevant in Europe where cross-border travel is likely to become more common.
Perhaps the best news for UK and European motorists is Nissan’s claims that running costs for its electric vehicles will be equivalent to 20 per cent of the costs of running a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine.