Electric Cars at Nissan Motors

 When it comes to electric cars and the larger issue of a positive environmental record, Nissan is actually lacking.  This is not to say that it has been a slouch in the environment, but rather than compared with many of its highly progressive fellow Japanese automakers, Nissan has definitely been behind the ball.  As of right now, the Nissan Nuvu (discussed in greater detail below) is really the only impressive electric or hybrid specimen that they have on the market.  At the same time however, they do have a decent record when it comes to fuel cell vehicles (introduced in 2003).

 The Nissan Nuvu in its own right is actually not that bad of an automobile, although it is certainly one that can be improved upon.  There is a sign that this might be coming about as Nissan announced that they would be selling fleets of a new electric car to places in California in 2010.  The statistics that they have cited for this new car are ones that would seem to indicate that it is an upgraded form of the Nuvu.  Even if this turns out not to be the case however, the new automobile will be a definite indication that Nissan is most definitely in the electric car business to stay.

 Even if the rumors surrounding this new automobile turn out not to be true, there is other evidence that pertains to Nissan having its eyes set on electric vehicles.  The first is the outright short term rejection of the manufacture of cars running on ethanol and/or other bio fuel.  The second is the fact that Nissan is currently involved in a joint venture with NEC for the production of lithium ion batteries for their cars.  Even without substantiating the rumors regarding the cars, this is most definitely conclusive evidence that Nissan Motors is in the electric car business to stay.  We can therefore expect some new products from them before too much more time has passed.

 The Nissan Nuvu

 As previously mentioned, the only bona fide electric car that is currently under the Nissan banner would have to be the Nissan Nuvu.  This model is one that is considered best as being a city car because it does not really have the speed to allow it to get on most of the highways in the world today.  At the same time however, it is certainly possible that the Nuvu is a staging point for another car to come along at a later date that will have the ability to do the things that the Nissan Nuvu cannot do right now.  This would be in keeping with Nissan’s character, so do not be surprised if it happens.

 As for the Nuvu, it has solar panels on the roof and has seating for two plus one more.  At the current moment in time, it has a top speed of 75 mph, although an optimal cruising speed that is several miles per hour lower than that.  It is claimed that it can travel around 80 miles on a single charge, although there is quite a bit there to dispute that particular fact.

 Those statistics do look impressive on the surface, but it is important to note that those particular specifications do come from the Nissan manufacturers.  In other words, under optimal road conditions, optimal traffic, optimal weather and optimal performance that is what you will get.  Actual user experiences with this particular automobile do seem to suggest that a lot of those numbers are embellished a bit and that the actual figures are around 80% of what Nissan reports.  If that turns out to be true, it would mean approximately 60 mph is the top cruising speed and around 65 miles is the single charge distance.  Either way, the car is not quite ready for primetime on the highways, but can take city driving relatively easily.

 As mentioned previously, Nissan does claim that they have a car with better statistics than the Nuvu waiting in the wings to come out onto the market within 2-3 years time.  This car has a cruising speed in the range of 80 mph with a single charge distance of 100 miles.  That would make it a highway-worthy car that would allow people all of the same benefits that they get with their current automobile. 

 There is no confirmation yet of whether this is true, but it is true that Nissan has set up factories specifically to produce 50,000 electric cars a year starting in late 2010 onwards.  This seems to indicate very strongly that they are either going to start selling the Nuvu en masse or produce this new car.  Either way, electric cars from Nissan will be hitting the market in full force before too long....................................................................................................................................................................................