There are many potential stumbling blocks to the introduction of electric cars – but one that is often overlooked is how the existing breakdown services will cope with this new generation of vehicles.
Now the issue is being addressed after Nissan and the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) announced a joint trial operation of a roadside service vehicle equipped with a charger for electric vehicles that run out of battery power.
Nissan has developed the prototype service with JAF expected to deploy it from its Kanagawa branch office and use it on a trial basis as part of its service menu from 2011.
The Federation actually conducted roadside assistance training, using the Nissan LEAF, for it staff throughout Japan in December last year. It also initiated practical roadside service training across the country using other electric vehicles in co-operation with several automakers.
According to Hitoshi Kawaguchi, Nissan’s senior vice president of external and governmental affairs, as electric vehicles gain wider consumer acceptance it will be important to create a larger roadside assistance system to help motorists that run out of battery power. As such Nissan is helping with staff training to benefit customers.
