riddler 0 #1 August 3, 2009 Coming next year to the U.S. 100-mile range, 4 hour charge time, zero emissions (electric), top speed of about 87 MPH. http://blogs.thetimes.co.za/wheeldeal/2009/08/03/nissan-leaf-shocks-the-ev-scene/ QuoteThe Nissan Leaf was unveiled in Yokohama, Japan, on Sunday and it’s set to spearhead the mass-market Electronic Vehicle (EV) revolution. Intent on capitalising on the emerging EV market, Nissan plans to start selling their zero-emission Leaf in America and Japan during the latter part of 2010. A five-door, five-passenger hatchback, the Leaf sucks it power from a 24-kilowatt-hour battery pack that’s made up of 192 lithium-manganese cells. Positioned flat beneath the vehicle’s floor to optimise weight distribution and ensure maximum passenger comfort, this clever piece of electrical engineering gives the Leaf a maximum cruising range of 160 kilometres – more than enough for the average daily commute. Charge times vary depending on outlet voltage, but a normal 220-volt power outlet will juice-up the Leaf’s battery in four hours. Once stored, all this energy powers an 80kW AC motor that gives the Leaf a limited top speed of 140km/h. With such a hi-tech powertrain nestling beneath its bonnet, Nissan have equipped the Leaf with their “EV-IT” range-monitoring system that keeps tabs on battery levels and – utilising the on-board navigation system – tells you exactly where and when to recharge.Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #2 August 3, 2009 Quotezero emissions (electric) Huh, and where does the majority of electricity come from?--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #3 August 3, 2009 Quote Quote zero emissions (electric) Huh, and where does the majority of electricity come from? Indeed and how 'green' are the batteries and other components..... and manufactiring process, delivery etc... ect... It may be a good direction to go in but suround it with lies will not help. (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #4 August 3, 2009 QuoteHuh, and where does the majority of electricity come from? Zero emissions applies to the auto, not the source. I suggest that people look into the alternate source programs offered by many power companies in major cities. For instance, for an additional $15 month, you can ask Public Service of Colorado to deliver electricity to you from only wind farms. Or if you're really gung-ho, like my neighbors (he is president of the Colorado Auto Dealer's Association), you can spend $30K and power your home with solar. The point of my post is that electric cars are feasible alternatives to petrol cars for many (not all) people. The industry is moving in that direction, but I expect American car manufacturers to be last on-board.Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
headoverheels 334 #5 August 3, 2009 I couldn't find specs for the Leaf, but Tesla gives efficiency comparisons on its web site: http://www.teslamotors.com/efficiency/well_to_wheel.php 1MJ/km is equivalent to 0.45kW-hr/mile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billeisele 130 #6 August 3, 2009 QuoteQuoteHuh, and where does the majority of electricity come from? Zero emissions applies to the auto, not the source. I suggest that people look into the alternate source programs offered by many power companies in major cities. For instance, for an additional $15 month, you can ask Public Service of Colorado to deliver electricity to you from only wind farms. not sure exactly what you mean by "deliver electricity only from wind farms" but please understand that you are getting the same power you always got, they are just allowing you to pay "extra" for wind power that already exists on the grid, when enough folks pay the extra cost then supposedly more wind power is added adding a certain "kind" of electricity to the grid is like pouring a bucket of dye in the ocean, if you are right next to or near the dye then you get someGive one city to the thugs so they can all live together. I vote for Chicago where they have strict gun laws. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiver30960 0 #7 August 3, 2009 Cost? EDIT: a quick google romp shows many sites touting the Leaf but nobody ready to name a price. One site says to "expect $25,000-$30,000" but gives no source. Elvisio "penny pincher" Rodrigeuz Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #8 August 4, 2009 QuoteEDIT: a quick google romp shows many sites touting the Leaf but nobody ready to name a price. One site says to "expect $25,000-$30,000" but gives no source. The only thing I saw was in the article about it costing "about the same as a comparable gasoline-powered car". Makes me wonder what their manufacturing cost is. Combustible engines are much more complicated, but batteries are expensive.Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #9 August 4, 2009 Quote not sure exactly what you mean by "deliver electricity only from wind farms" but please understand that you are getting the same power you always got, they are just allowing you to pay "extra" for wind power that already exists on the grid, when enough folks pay the extra cost then supposedly more wind power is added Right - there is no infrastructure for sending electricity right from a specific source directly too your house. You pay extra for wind-generated energy, and the power company buys wind energy equivalent to the total amount paid for by all their customers per their usage.Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
