Pacific Northwest among “strongest” electric vehicle markets

December 9, 2009

The Nissan Leaf is set to be launched in 2010

Motor manufacturer Nissan has been showing off its forthcoming electric vehicle, the LEAF, in Seattle, as the city prepares to develop vehicle-charging stations as part of a $200 million program.

Nissan North America is describing the LEAF as the world’s first “affordable” electric vehicle, and was joined by Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels at the launch event at Qwest Field today.

Also present was the Electric Transportation Engineering Corporation (eTec), a subsidiary of ECOtality, Inc, which has been awarded nearly $100 million from the US Department of Energy to roll out vehicle-charging infrastructure in the US.

This funding has been matched by private partners, and will fund charging stations in five US States – Washington, Oregon, Arizona, California and Tennessee.

Pacific Northwest

In Seattle, eTec said the Pacific Northwest was poised to become one of the “strongest markets in North America for highway-capable electric vehicles”.

The company has appointed the Mayor of Seattle’s former senior adviser Richard Feldman to head up its regional team for the area, and is planning to establish a regional office in the Pacific Northwest to develop a roadmap for local charging infrastructure.

ECOtality’s CEO, Jonathan Read, said, “We believe that effective adoption of this technology in the Pacific Northwest is critical to the success of the Project and EVs in North America.”

Electric vehicles are seen as an environmental alternative to gas-guzzlers since they do not emit polluting exhaust gases, and can be powered by renewable energy sources as global electricity supplies switch towards clean energy.

Nissan is showing off its LEAF vehicle in 22 cities in 11 States, as well as in Canada, to allow interested drivers, media, civic partners, businesses and university students to learn more about the vehicle and the benefits of zero-emission driving.

LEAF

The LEAF is designed to seat five adults and achieve a range of more than 100 miles per recharge (160km). It is scheduled for a launch in late 2010 in Japan, the US and Europe.

Nissan said the lithium-ion battery powered chassis was the culmination of “decades of investment and research”, and that the car heralded a “new era of mobility – the zero emission era”.

The Japanese company’s president and chief executive, Carlos Ghosn, said the Leaf was a “tremendous accomplishment” for Nissan.

Mr Ghosn said: “We have been working tirelessly to make this day a reality – the unveiling of a real-world car that has zero – not simply reduced – emissions. It’s the first step in what is sure to be an exciting journey – for people all over the world, for Nissan and for the industry.”

Pricing details will be announced in 2010, as the car goes on sale. However, Nissan insisted it would be “competitively priced” with other compact cars.

Range

The 100-mile range of the Leaf would make it suitable for 70% of the world’s car drivers according to the company’s research.

The car’s lithium-ion batteries deliver a power output above 90kW, while its electric motor offers 80kW of power.

Nissan claims the car can be charged to 80% of full capacity in just under 30 minutes with a quick charger, although charging at home would most likely take eight hours.

The manufacturer pointed out that the vehicle would most likely qualify for local tax breaks and incentives.

The relative simplicity of the electric car compared to petrol-powered vehicles would make it “friendly to the wallet”, Nissan added in its launch notes.