Renault-Nissan Alliance at COP17 Global Climate Conference in SA
Posted by Group1 Nissan on 28 Nov 2011 under Nissan Leaf
electric cars will provide shuttle services for delegates of the 17th annual Conference of Parties (COP17) in Durban.
The Renault-Nissan Alliance is bringing zero-emission cars to the 2011 United Nations Climate Change Conference, to be held from 28 November to 9 December in Durban. A dozen electric cars will provide shuttle services for delegates of the 17th annual Conference of Parties (COP17) while highlighting the benefits of green transportation.
Besides providing transport for the delegates, the Alliance will also offer test-drives to the public in the fun-to-drive Renault Twizy, luxury sedan Renault Fluence Z.E. and the acclaimed Nissan LEAF. This will take place between the Expo site and the Moses Mabhida Stadium and interested parties can sign up at the Alliance’s booth in the Climate Change Response Expo near Durban’s International Convention Center.
Nissan’s LEAF not only carries the prestigious European and World Car of the Year 2011 titles but it’s also the most successful EV of all time having delivered over 20,000 units since sales began at the end of 2010. And good news for the South African market, is that the manufacturer plans to launch this top seller locally in 2013, subject to negotiations between government and the motoring industry regarding charging infrastructure.
Nissan LEAF – future taxi of NY?
Posted by Group1 Nissan on 22 Nov 2011 under Nissan Leaf
New York City is busy with a feasibility study of electric cabs such as the LEAF EV
With production of the Ford Crown Victoria coming to an end in the States, it’s left a huge gap in taxi fleets and police municipalities. This has prompted Nissan to launch a pilot programme in New York City to study the feasibility of electric cabs such as the Nissan LEAF EV.
It’s estimated that on average a typical NY taxi drives around 180 miles in a 12-hour shift. This presents a challenge for the LEAF with its limited driving range and long recharging time in its current form. Nissan would have to develop a LEAF with a 200-mile travelling distance range and charging time of less than 12 hours.
Although an electric vehicle might cost even twice as much as a traditional taxi, it would certainly pay for itself in the long run if fuel cost savings were to be calculated. Now the question is only, which will be the first car company to convince the cabbies to go electric? Nissan will certainly be in the running.
Nissan Leaf Lights Up Yokohama Tower
Posted by Group1 Nissan on 04 Nov 2011 under Nissan Leaf
The new Nissan Leaf, which was highlighted in a positive light (excuse the pun) by the MNET investigative news program Carte Blanche last Sunday, has been used to power one of Japan’s most iconic landmarks since this past Wednesday – the Yokohama Marine Tower!
The Nissan Leaf that has been used to power the iconic Yokohama Tower
Since Wednesday night Nissan has been lending a bit of battery power to the 106m tall in Yokohama which is the capital city of the Kanagawa Prefecture of Japan and is located about 44km south of Tokyo. This means that the towers night lights will be powered by a Nissan Leaf channelling electricity via its batteries powered to a central control system. This will continue until November the 6th.
Why Yokohama?
Well, apart from being Nissan’s world headquarters, Yokohama is also known as one of the most environmental friendly cities in Japan. This publicity stunt was also set up by Nissan Japan as part of the Yokohama Marine Tower’s 50th Anniversary and Yokohama Port’s 150th anniversary celebration. The tower (which offers one of the few clear views of Mount Fuji in the country) was built in 1961 to commemorate the port’s centennial anniversary and since then has seen more than 25 million visitors pass through its doors.
Nissan’s green Leaf likely to reach SA shores in 2013
Posted by Group1 Nissan on 10 Oct 2011 under New Nissan Launches, Nissan Leaf
Nissan SA’s managing director Mike Whitfield has announced that the Nissan Leaf could be available in South Africa by 2013
While speaking at the Johannesburg International Motor Show, Nissan SA’s managing director, Mike Whitfield, recently revealed that the much anticipated battery car, the Nissan Leaf would be launched locally within two years subject to confirmation of government policy on charging infrastructure and customer incentives.
Nissan’s commitment to a more sustainable future for road transport is evident in the Leaf’s green promise. Its lithium-ion battery allows for travelling distances of up to 160km on a charge while it’s able to reach a top speed of 145km/h. Plus Nissan ensures it will rival conventional vehicles in terms of expected features.
Since the Leaf’s international launch in 2010, over 12,000 units have already been sold in countries like Japan, the US and various European markets, which have successfully implemented the necessary infrastructure and incentives needed to support electric vehicles.
Source: IOL
Another Green Innovation from Nissan
Posted by Group1 Nissan on 15 Sep 2011 under Nissan Leaf
It seems that once again Nissan is doing its bit for the Green Revolution thanks to its development of an all new charger design for electric vehicles. This charger, which is used for the Nissan Leaf, is not only smaller and almost 50% cheaper to manufacture, but is also easier to install. It can also be used with competitor brand zero-emission vehicles and is further proof that Nissan is at the forefront of next generation motoring technology.
Nissan has sold more than 13,600 Leaf cars around the world since they launched it in December 2010. Currently there are 619 chargers in Japan. 196 of those chargers are used by the Nissan group themselves; while the rest can be found at local governments and companies offices that promote electric vehicles.
Source: Washington Post
