Nissan testing electric-vehicle rescue truck to help stranded LEAF owners
Having range-anxiety is one of the many reasons consumers end up shying away from electric-cars. As the producer of the world’s first mass electric-car, the LEAF, Nissan is testing an EV rescue vehicle to recharge stranded LEAF drivers in Japan.
Think of the EV rescue vehicle like a tow truck that doesn’t tow. The truck is equipped with a charging system for electric-cars, that help stranded drivers needing a little bit of juice. The rescue truck is being deployed to “build confidence in EV use,” says Nissan, especially since a charging infrastructure is still in the development stage Japan.
Click here for more news on the Nissan LEAF.
“There are no plans to expand beyond that region,” said Katherine Zachary, Nissan Americas spokesperson.
“As EVs gain wider consumer acceptance, it is important to create a roadside assistance system that can help motorists driving EVs which have run out of battery power,” said Hitoshi Kawaguchi, Nissan’s senior vice president of external and governmental affairs, in a statement. “Nissan is leveraging the development and trial operation of this roadside service vehicle with charging equipment.”
Click here for our review on the Nissan Leaf.
Refresher: Power for the Nissan LEAF comes from a 107-hp electric-motor that runs on power supplied by lithium-ion cells. On a full-charge, the Nissan LEAF allows for a driving range of 100 miles with a top speed of 90 mph. A full charge takes up to 8 hours on a standard 200V outlet. Buyers can opt for the DC 50kW quick-charger, which recharges the battery up to 80 percent in under 30 minutes. Prices for the 2011 Nissan LEAF will start at $32,780 but with a federal tax-credit prices will come in as low as $25,280, or for a lease payment of $349 a month.
Review: 2011 Nissan LEAF:
All Photos Copyright © 2011 Omar Rana, Nikolina Kostrevski – egmCarTech.
– By: Omar Rana
Source: Inside Line
