Category Archives: Electric Cars

Tesla S Gets Software Update to Prevent Unintended Acceleration

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Tesla - attribution saketvora

Last week Tesla Motors filed an update to its original S-1 documents. The S-1 filing is a requirement as the company moves closer to its initial public offering (IPO). The update contained an abundance of new information such as the report regarding the current Roadster production continuing into 2012 as well as additional financial funding information. Something else was found in the filing worthy of mention. It appears Tesla, in light of the recent Toyota unintended acceleration problems, is equipping vehicles with anti-unintended acceleration software.

As the filing states, Tesla has programmed code into the vehicle that can greatly reduce the chance of an unintended acceleration. The software fixes consist of complex algorithms that basically cut off electricity if the vehicle is shifted to neutral or the key is turned from the on position. As the company said of the software changes,

We stop the flow of electricity to our motor when the car is placed in neutral or the key is rotated from the “on” position. We also stop the flow of electricity to the motor during normal vehicle operation when the brake pedal is depressed for more than two seconds.

Note to future car buyers: next time you hit the dealerships in search of a new car, it’s not a bad idea to check the build sheet and make sure the vehicle you’re interested in has that anti-unintended acceleration software upgrade already installed.

[Via:Green Autoblog]

Nissan Leaf US Pricing Officially Announced: As Low as $25,280*

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Nissan Leaf - attribution Tom Raftery

It’s official: starting this December, Nissan dealerships in select U.S markets will start selling the all-electric Leaf, the first mass-produced, zero-emission vehicle, at a starting price of $32,780. After $7,500 worth of federal tax credits, the price should drop to as low as $25,280. There are several states offering additional tax credits that could lower the cost of owning a Leaf even more – such as a $5,000 statewide tax rebate in California, a $5,000 tax credit in Georgia and a $1,500 tax credit in Oregon.

Nissan also announced a lease program for the Leaf that will put you in the drivers seat for $349 a month for three years.

Earlier today, Nissan announced pricing for the Leaf in Japan. Base price will be ¥3.76 million (roughly $40,700 USD) before any tax breaks. With the current ¥770,000 EV incentive in Japan, that price will drop to a bit over $33,000.

So why are the Leafs (Leaves?) more expensive in their home country than they are in America? The simple answer is that Nissan wants the Leaf to be competitive.

Additionally, Nissan will offer personal charging docks, which operate on a 220-volt supply. Nissan is providing these home-charging stations as part of a one-stop-shop process that includes a home assessment by a certified technician to ensure that your garage is plug-in ready. The average cost for the charging dock plus installation will be $2,200. But charging docks and installation are eligible for a 50% federal tax credit up to $2,000. So after the tax credit, the average cost for the charging dock would be $1100.

Starting April 20, interested customers who have signed up at nissanusa.com can put down a refundable $99 reservation fee. Official ordering doesn’t start until August with deliveries scheduled to start in December. The Leaf goes on sale nationwide by the end of 2011. See the official press release after the break.

[Via: Green Autoblog]

Nissan Will Make The New LEAF Electric Vehicle in U.K.

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Britain’s Sunderland assembly plant will be the third global production site for Nissan Motor Co.’s new Leaf electric vehicle. Production will start in early 2013 and initially, the plant will have a capacity of 50,000 units.

or this project, Nissan and its French alliance partner Renault will invest more than 420 million pounds ($642.6 million). A lithium ion battery plant will be constructed on the site. Nissan is relying on the five-seat Leaf hatchback to propel it to the lead in the market for zero emissions vehicles. Later this year, production will begin in Oppama, Japan. In the US, production will start in early 2013 at the Smyrna, Tenn. plant.

Nissan said that the Leaf will go on sale this year in Japan, the US, and some European markets. For Nissan to achieve its global mass marketing to begin from 2012, Nissan and Renault plan to have a global electric vehicle production capacity of 500,000 units.

By next year, Renault will start rolling out its electric cars. In the Sunderland plant, Nissan has started preparing its Number 2 line for the Leaf. The electric car will be made beside the Juke compact crossover, which will start production in August.

Sunderland’s battery manufacturing plant, which has a capacity of 60,000 units a year, starts operation in 2012. It will supply both Nissan and Renault electric vehicles. Nissan revealed that production of the Leaf and batteries is supported by a 20.7-million-pound British government grant and a proposed finance package of up to 220 million euros ($302 million) from the European Investment Bank.

Nissan LEAF EV Sold for Less Than $44,300 in Japan

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According to the latest reports, it appears that the Nissan LEAF Electric Vehicle will be sold in Japan for between Y3.5 million-Y4 million, the Mainichi Shimbun reported Wednesday. This means $38,600 to $44,190. The Japanese manufacturer also plans to launch the car in Japan, Europe and the U.S. this autumn. The new Nissan Leaf will even cheaper than Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV electric model, priced at around $44,300.

Mercedes-Benz to Develop Electric Vehicles With BYD

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Mercedes-Benz has agreed to collaborate with Build Your Dreams (BYD) to develop electric vehicles intended for the Chinese market. BYD is starting to get quite a reputation for electric vehicle technologies.

Before BYD made cars, it had produced batteries. Mercedes-Benz is believed to be eager to gain local knowledge in China. Under the agreement struck between Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler and BYD, the two firms will create a new brand to sell a vehicle designed for the Chinese market. Mercedes-Benz chief Dr Dieter Zetsche said that he considers the coming together of Daimler and BYD to be “a perfect match” considering that Daimler is known for its electric vehicle architecture and BYD has expertise in battery technology and e-drive systems. Meanwhile, BYD chairman Wang Chuanfu expressed his excitement at having the opportunity to work with Daimler, which it refers to as the “the inventor of the automobile.” As part of the agreement, Daimler and BYD are set to develop a technology center in China. So far, it has not been announced when the facility is expected to be completed or when the launch will take place.