14 March 2010

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Nissan NUVU

In the green car sector it seems that Toyota and Honda have stolen a march on their international rivals. However, whereas its competitors are leading the way for hybrid cars, Nissan is determined to break new ground with electric vehicle production. Its centrepiece for success is the Nissan NUVU.

History of the Nissan NUVU

Some may accuse Nissan Motors of being slow to get off the ground with its green car push. Famously, it’s CEO and President Carlos Ghosn had talked openly in public about the lack of viability of hybrid technology that combined traditional fuel with an electric motor. However, the oil price surge of 2008 prompted a new approach from Nissan as it aimed to become a world leader in zero emission technology.

At the heart of its new approach is the Nissan NUVU, which is seen as a solution for the city driving of the future when cities will be at near bursting point. NUVU is literally a “new view” as it is electric while also featuring an interior design that provides great comfort and space in an intelligent package designed for limited parking slots and crowded roads.

The Nissan NUVU made its debut at the Paris Motor Show in 2008 where it was seen as more than just a styling concept and instead a fully working mobile test bed for much of the technology that will be used when Nissan launches a production electric vehicle in 2010.

Environmental credentials of the Nissan NUVU

Critics of electric cars will point out that no electric car is truly “zero emission” despite the tag. This is because much of the energy they use comes from non-renewable sources. Only as time passes and the energy used on the National Grid is increasingly sourced from wind, solar, biomass and other renewable sources will the “zero emission” tag truly apply.

Nevertheless, the Nissan NUVU produces no direct emissions of its own and unlike many electric cars in the market is not a “slow and clunky” model that is only a real alternative for the extremely environmentally conscious few. Instead it can hit around 75mph and has a range in the region of 80 miles on a single charge.

One of the highlights of the vehicle, according to Nissan, is that most city drivers spend 99 per cent of their time with no more than two passengers. As a consequence, the NUVU seats just three people. It also features leaf-shaped solar panels in the roof that are integrated into the glass.

It is expected that Nissan will make a number of tweaks to the model before it releases an electric vehicle for production in 2010.

Nissan NUVU statistics

Here are some crucial statistics about the Nissan NUVU:

Charge time: Three-four hours with a 220V charger.
CO2 emissions: None.
Range: 80 miles.
Top speed: 75mph.

Future of the Nissan NUVU

The Nissan NUVU is expected to be restyled and perhaps renamed before it is released by Nissan as an electric vehicle for production in 2010. We’ll have more information as it breaks in the latest news section of TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk.

Author: Lee Sibbald, March 26, 2009

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