“Revenge of the Electric Car” is the story of three well-respected car company executives (and one independent entrepreneur) battling from the inside to reinvent our notions of what an automobile should be, and to present the world a vision of cars untethered to gasoline.

The film follows these companies as they struggle to create the cars and take what most would call a huge gamble on the technology and the buying habits of the public. Our very own Carlos Ghosn is among the personalities featured in the movie, and it’s a must-see for anyone curious about the future of transportation.

In January Nissan Motor Co. and Sumitomo Corp. will introduce a 480-volt quick charger for electric vehicles that costs only $9,900—less than one-third the price of other such devices currently offered in the U.S.

A typical 240-volt home recharger costs only about $1,200 but needs several hours to fully replenish an EV’s battery. Nissan and Sumitomo says their DC unit can restore a depleted battery to 80% of capacity in less than 30 minutes. The system is compatible with the Nissan Leaf EV and any other plug-in vehicles that meet the CHAdeMO recharging standard.

The chargers will be produced by Nissan in Japan and offered in two versions. The indoor model is intended for fleet operators, and the outdoor model is designed for use in public areas. The partners predict several thousand of their devices will be installed in the U.S.

Nissan says Monrovia, California-based AeroVironment Inc. will be the system’s distributor and preferred installer in the American market.

In a collaboration announced today, Nissan North America Inc. (NNA) and SunPower Corporation (NASDAQ: SPWRA, SPWRB) will team up to help Nissan LEAF electric vehicle owners learn how a residential solar power system from SunPower can reduce their carbon emissions and control the cost of charging their electric vehicles.

The two companies are offering new online content, including a video tutorial that describes how solar power systems convert sunlight into clean, renewable power for use in the home and for charging electric vehicles. Visitors to the site will be able to request a free home solar assessment from a local SunPower dealer.

“Nissan LEAF owners are conscientious about their energy use, and it makes sense for them to understand how they can offset the power that their all-electric LEAF requires with clean, renewable solar power generated from their own rooftop,” said Brendan Jones, director, Nissan LEAF marketing and sales strategy, NNA. “SunPower is the leading manufacturer and installer of residential solar power systems in the United States, and offers the most efficient solar power technology on the market today. For example, a 2.5-kilowatt SunPower rooftop solar system may offset the power required to drive a LEAF about 10,000 miles a year. We are pleased to work with SunPower on this initiative, and look forward to a long partnership.”

“Solar power is a reliable, cost-effective technology for homeowners today,” said SunPower President and CEO Tom Werner. “High efficiency SunPower systems are guaranteed to perform over the long term, maximizing the power generated and the monthly savings. I power my own 100 percent electric Nissan LEAF with a SunPower system, eliminating trips to the gas station while significantly reducing my electricity bill.”

Nissan’s Leaf electric car can feed power from its battery back into a family home and run appliances for up to two days under a new project the Japanese carmaker unveiled Tuesday.

Using the “Leaf to Home” system, the lithium-ion batteries of the zero tailpipe emission Leaf can be used as an emergency power backup for the home during a natural disaster or a power blackout, Nissan said.

Nissan, 44 percent owned by Renault of France, said it aims to commercialize the technology in Japan by March 2012.

The system works by linking the car via a quick charging port to the house’s electricity distribution panel. Power can also be fed the other way if the house generates its own electricity with rooftop solar panels.

The Leaf batteries have a capacity of 24 kilowatt hours when fully charged, equivalent to the electricity used by the average Japanese household in two days, said the company.

The output from the vehicle comes to six kilowatts, enough to power electricity-guzzling appliances such as a refrigerator, air conditioner and washing machine at the same time, the company said.

Nissan says as well as its potential use in blackouts, the car can be charged during night time off-peak hours and the electricity used by households during high-demand periods.

Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) announced a reduction in the price of the home charging system for the Nissan LEAF to make it more accessible to drivers. The home charging system, developed by AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) and available with the purchase of a LEAF at Nissan dealers, includes both hardware and installation services at a price of $1,818 for a typical home installation. The Nissan LEAF is the first and only all-electric, zero-emission vehicle available to the mass market.

“Nissan North America has demonstrated a consistent commitment to its customers and to advancing the EV movement for all drivers,” said Mike Bissonette, AeroVironment’s senior vice president and general manager of its Efficient Energy Systems business segment. “Our deployment of thousands of charging systems to support the Nissan LEAF rollout is a testament to AeroVironment and Nissan’s ongoing commitment; together, we’re dedicated to making the transition from gas-fueled vehicles to all-electric cars as seamless and trouble free as possible.”

Although the packaged price has been reduced, the Nissan-approved charging system remains the same, featuring a UL-listed charging dock, on-site consultation, charging dock installation, hands-on user training, 3-year hardware and service warranty and 24/7, single point-of-contact availability. AeroVironment-certified licensed EV charging experts deliver standard products and services that include charging system testing and verification with or without the vehicle present, household load analysis and panel upgrades, turnkey permitting and a charging dock with 30-amp capability to accommodate future advancements in EV technology, translating into faster charging.

“By reducing the standard price for the installation of the Nissan LEAF home charging system, we aim to make the system accessible to a wider range of consumers,” said Brendan Jones, director, Nissan LEAF marketing and sales strategy, Nissan North America. “Nissan and AeroVironment have teamed up to provide a seamless, one-stop shopping experience to consumers for home charger installation through Nissan’s dealer network, and we’re happy to offer the same services at a price that is now even better for our customers.”

Nissan North America selected AeroVironment in January 2010 as the preferred charging partner of the all-electric Nissan LEAF.

Today, Nissan Americas and City Ventures – California’s leading builder of affordable, eco-friendly homes in urban locations – announced a cooperative project to pre-wire 190 Southern California townhomes currently under construction for electric vehicle chargers. The effort will result in the largest residential, electric vehicle pre-wiring project in the United States.

Every home in nearly every new City Ventures development will include pre-wired parking spaces or garages, allowing easy installation of a Level II (240v/40 amp) electric vehicle charging dock, the recommended method to charge the Nissan LEAF at home.

“Nissan applauds City Ventures’ vision and leadership to create a unique solution on such a large scale,” said Brendan Jones, Nissan’s director of Electric Vehicle Marketing and Sales Strategy. “Their model perfectly complements the accepted preference by EV owners to charge at home – including convenient charging during off-peak overnight hours – and is a meaningful step to help advance Nissan LEAF owner satisfaction.”

Because target customers for the Nissan LEAF and City Ventures’ residences share similar sensitivities and interests in environment issues, the project offers other benefits.

“City Ventures’ goal is to provide the most advanced and cost-effective solutions to buying a green home, including offering affordable solar-powered and all-electric homes,” added Herb Gardner, City Ventures’ President of Homebuilding. “By pre-wiring multi-family units, homeowners now have a simple, low-cost option to charge their all-electric Nissan LEAF at our all-electric home, and can even use the home’s solar panels to power their car. They’ll never have a gasoline or gas utility bill again resulting in a win-win for their pocketbooks and the environment.”

As the first phase of the plan, residents will be able to easily install home-charging equipment in single- or multi-family garage locations at City Ventures’ developments in Signal Hill (54 homes/108 parking spaces) and Santa Barbara (48 homes/100 parking spaces). A third location in Alhambra will also include mixed/public use garages (88 homes, 423 total parking spaces) as part of the venue’s retail layout. City Ventures plans to roll-out this approach to all of its new communities going forward.

For Nissan’s part, the company has consulted with City Ventures to exchange technical and charging information to help satisfy construction needs, and to better align with consumer charging habits. In addition, the two firms are discussing potential cross-promotional opportunities.

The effort by Nissan and City Ventures adds to a growing list of actions by public, private and residential organizations to enhance infrastructure and charging options which can accelerate the acceptance of electric vehicles, including:

Nissan’s 27 MOUs (Memorandum of Understanding) with governments, utilities and business partners across the United States (and 95 worldwide) that are helping to build the market for electric vehicles.
The 15,000 U.S. public charging stations expected in the next few years through various public and private projects.
Actions by leading companies to advance green initiatives within their organization, such as Google’s RechargeIt program that includes the installation of hundreds of workplace charging locations and NRG’s eVgo network of fast charging stations in Texas.

The 100-percent electric Nissan LEAF has earned a 5-star overall vehicle rating for safety as part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). The Nissan LEAF is the first fully electric vehicle to earn this highest distinction from the program. Starting with 2011 models, NHTSA introduced tougher tests and requirements in order to earn 5-star ratings. The Nissan LEAF has also been named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

“The Nissan LEAF is the first all-electric vehicle to achieve 5-star overall for safety,” said Brian Carolin, senior vice president, sales and marketing, Nissan North America, Inc. “Not only is the LEAF the most innovative car on the planet, it is also one of the safest.”

Standard Nissan LEAF safety systems include Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt and occupant classification sensors, front seat-mounted side impact supplemental air bags, roof-mounted curtain side impact supplemental air bags for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection, 3-point ALR/ELR seat belts (driver’s seat ELR only) with pretensioners and load limiters, child seat upper tether anchor, LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system and child safety rear door locks. Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and Traction Control System (TCS) are also standard on all LEAF models.

Under beautiful blue skies at the 89th running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb yesterday, veteran Nissan off-road truck racing champion Chad Hord and the 100 percent electric Nissan LEAF made history as the first winners of the Electric Production Class. The LEAF completed the run with a time of 14 minutes 33 seconds for the 12.42 mile run. Even though the LEAF was virtually stock except for interior safety modifications and more aggressive wheels and tires, it out ran several competitors with highly modified internal combustion engines.

The race is run on a 12.42 mile course with 156 turns that begins at 9,390 feet and finishes at the 14,110 foot summit of Pikes Peak. As the drivers climb toward the summit, the thin air slows reflexes and saps muscle strength. The thin air also robs internal combustion engines of up to 30% of their power at the summit but the LEAF’s electric motor is not impacted by the thin air. It produces the same amount of power at the start and the summit.

The LEAF zipped from corner to corner in near silence other than the sound of squealing tires and the high pitched sound of a warning beeper installed at the request of the race organizers to warn spectators and workers. The LEAF comes from the factory with a pedestrian warning system that is active up to about 30 miles per hour but since the LEAF was traveling much faster on the course a supplemental system was a good way to warn those along the course that it was approaching.

“The LEAF was great fun to drive up the mountain” said Hord. “With the instant torque from the electric motor we were able to jump out of the many slow corners and the performance was very consistent from the bottom to the top since the electric motor wasn’t affected by the high altitude near the summit like the gasoline powered cars.”

Since the competitors can only practice a third of the run at a time during the week leading up to the race, today was the first time Chad and the LEAF had completed the entire race distance in a single run. “The Nissan LEAF and Chad both performed flawlessly this week” said Ron Stukenberg, senior manager, Marketing Communications, Motorsports. “This was an innovative way to demonstrate that 100 percent electric vehicles perform very well in highly demanding situations like the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.”

Fresh off his first ever Traxxas TORC series podium finish in his Nissan Frontier last weekend at Crandon International Speedway, Colorado Springs resident Brad Lovell made it two in a row with a second place finish in the tough Pikes Peak Open class in a time of 12 minutes and 33 seconds. This was done in the same truck that finished second at Crandon despite the very different nature of the course at Pikes Peak verses that at Crandon.

“We drove straight back to Colorado Springs from Wisconsin and quickly modified the Frontier to a pavement-type set up to make tech inspection on Tuesday and then be ready for the first practice at 3:30 a.m. Wednesday” said Lovell. “The team did a great job to make it all happen with very little sleep. I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve accomplished in the past two weeks.”

Lovell and Hord will next race July 22-23 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina at the Traxxas TORC event with Lovell at the wheel of his Nissan Frontier and Hord at the wheel of his Nissan Titan.

In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, design, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. More information about Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.infiniti.com.

Latest accolade for zero-emission vehicle comes at New York International Auto Show

New York, NY (04.21.2011) – Today, at the New York International Auto Show, the 100-percent electric, zero-emission Nissan LEAF was named 2011 World Car of the Year, edging out the BMW 5-Series and the Audi A8 for the top spot. Today’s award is the latest in a string of accolades for the world’s first affordable mass-market, all-electric vehicle for the global market, which was also named European Car of the Year.

“It is a great joy that the world’s first, mass-marketed electric vehicle, the Nissan LEAF, has won the prestigious award of 2011 World Car of the Year,” said Nissan Chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn. “This accolade recognizes Nissan LEAF, a pioneer in zero-emission mobility, as comparable in its driving performance, quietness and superb handling to gas-powered cars. And it validates Nissan’s clear vision and the values of sustainable mobility that we want to offer to customers around the world.”

The World Car Awards jurors observed that, “The Leaf is the gateway to a brave new electric world from Nissan. This 5-seater, 5-door hatchback is the world’s new electric world from Nissan. This 5-seater, 5-door hatchback is the world’s first, purpose-built, mass-produced electric car. It has a range of over 100 miles on a full charge claims Nissan, takes around 8 hours to recharge using 220-240V power supply and produces zero tailpipe emissions. Its low center of gravity produced sharp turn-in with almost no body roll and no understeer. The good news? It feels just like a normal car, only quieter.”

The World Car of the Year competition was launched in 2004, with winners chosen by a panel of automotive journalists from Asia, Europe and North America.

Nissan LEAF is available in Japan, the United States and select European markets and will be released in other global markets in 2012. The vehicle is currently built at Nissan’s Oppama, Japan plant. It also will be manufactured at the company’s Smyrna, Tenn., plant in the United States in late 2012 and at Nissan’s Sunderland plant in the United Kingdom by early 2013.

Aiming to be the world leader in zero-emission vehicles, Nissan, with its Alliance partner, Renault, has formed partnerships with more than 90 governments, cities and other organizations around the world not only to develop and produce EV and lithium-ion batteries but also to promote sustainable mobility. Nissan is also taking a comprehensive approach to encourage to the world to more sustainable mobility such as improvement of charging service, infrastructure deployment, the promotion of the use of recycled materials and overall energy management system including second-life use of lithium-ion batteries.

About Nissan Americas

In the Americas, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and was recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency in 2010 and 2011. More information on Nissan in North America, the Nissan LEAF and zero emissions can be found at www.nissanusa.com.

About Nissan

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan’s second largest Japanese automotive company by volume, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan and is an integral pillar of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 150,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4 million vehicles in 2010. With a strong commitment to developing exciting and innovative products for all, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of fuel-efficient and low-emissions vehicles under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. A pioneer in zero emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades including the prestigious 2011 European Car of the Year award.

For more information on our products, services and commitment to Sustainable Mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

# # #

Contact:
Paula Angelo
Nissan Americas
Tel #: (615) 725-5828
www.nissannews.com

Nissan LEAF™ NISMO RC (Racing Competition) Takes Zero Emission Strategy to a New Dimension – the Race Track

Purpose-Built Prototype Wraps Production Nissan LEAF Components and Technology in a Dramatic Ready-To-Go-Racing Carbon Fiber Body

Franklin, TN (04.17.2011) – The name on the back panel, just under the massive adjustable rear wing, says Nissan LEAF™. The powertrain is an 100% zero emission advanced Lithium-ion battery design, just like that found on the world’s first affordable mass market electric vehicle. And despite its lack of rear doors, rear seat, trunk, audio system, navigation, carpeting and other amenities, there is a discernable family resemblance. But that is where the similarities between the production Nissan LEAF and the Nissan LEAF NISMO RC end. As indicted by the “RC” – for Racing Competition – this new electric vehicle, which makes its world debut at the 2011 New York International Auto Show on April 20th, is purpose-built to bring new meaning to the term “Racing Green.”

Already a world leader in zero emission production vehicles with the late 2010 launch of the Nissan LEAF passenger vehicle in the United States, Europe and Japan, Nissan is now looking at the racing world as a way to draw attention to the seemingly untapped potential of electric vehicles.

“Combining the talents of NISMO, Nissan’s world renowned motorsports group, and engineers behind some of the company’s Super GT and FIA GT1 race teams, the Nissan LEAF NISMO RC will serve as a rolling laboratory for the accelerated development of EV and aerodynamic systems, as well as a platform for the development of new green motorsports series,” said Carlos Tavares, chairman, Nissan Americas, speaking at the New York International Auto Show.

The new electric race vehicle will likely make a series of special demonstration appearances at various motorsports venues in 2011, with the company exploring pioneer zero emission competition spec series in future years.

A Serious Racing Machine
The Nissan LEAF NISMO RC is designed and constructed as a real racing machine, starting with its full carbon fiber monocoque bodywork. The three-piece bodywork includes removable front and rear sections, fixed windows, LED headlights and taillights and driver-adjustable rear wing. Building on the unique exterior styling of the production Nissan LEAF, the 2-door race version was created by Nissan Global Design Center in Japan. Special 4-coat Pearl White paint with blue NISMO/Zero Emission graphics completes the exterior.

Dimensionally, the race car features a 3.9-inch shorter wheelbase, is 0.8 inches longer and 6.7 inches wider. The most dramatic difference is height, with the NISMO RC sitting more than a foot (13.8 inches) lower than the production Nissan LEAF. Ground clearance is limited to 2.4 inches, compared to 6.3 inches for the road going car. And, at 2,068 pounds, the race car weighs in at about 40 percent less than the production vehicle.

The layout of the NISMO RC is also markedly different from the production sedan, offering a mid-ship location for the battery pack, electric motor and inverter – with drive to the rear wheels versus the production Nissan LEAF’s front-wheel drive. The NISMO RC also utilizes a double-wishbone suspension design front and rear and driver-adjustable brake balance. It rides on 18-inch 6-spoke wheels and P225/40R18 Bridgestone racing tires.

Like the production Nissan LEAF, the NISMO RC is powered by a lithium-ion battery composed of 48 compact modules and a high-response 80kW AC synchronous motor that generates 107 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. It can be charged up to 80 percent of its full capacity in 30 minutes using the quick charging port located inside the rear cowl. And unlike other competition vehicles, the NISMO RC has no tailpipe, no emission of CO2 or other greenhouse gases while being driven, and no exhaust sound.

In preliminary testing the NISMO RC produces 0 to 62 mph acceleration in 6.85 seconds and a top speed of 93 miles per hour. It is projected to have a running time of around 20 minutes under racing conditions.

“There’s a perception among some people that electric vehicles fall on the dull side of the automotive enthusiasm scale – which is certainly not the case with either the production Nissan LEAF or this electrifying Nissan LEAF NISMO RC,” added Tavares. “Nissan LEAF owners are fully embracing this new world of zero emission technology. We believe the same potential exists in the motorsports world as well, with Nissan proud to be first on the starting grid.”

About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, design, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010 and has been recognized as a 2010 and 2011 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information about Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.Infiniti.com.

About Nissan
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan’s second largest Japanese automotive company by volume, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan and is an integral pillar of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 150,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4 million vehicles in 2010.

With a strong commitment to developing exciting and innovative products for all, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of fuel-efficient and low-emissions vehicles under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. A pioneer in zero emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades including the prestigious 2011 European Car of the Year award.