We've met the Nissan Leaf before. First at its coming-out party in Japan, followed by an all-too-brief stint behind the wheel of a Versa-based prototype late last year. Now we've had a chance to sample Nissan's first foray into the world of electric vehicles in production form and the automaker picked one of its most important markets – the heart of Silicon Valley – to give us some seat time. If there's any area ripe for early-EV adoption, it's San Jose, CA. And during a quick test loop through the tight confines of Santana Row and a run through the city's suburban ... Read More

0

Carlos Ghosn: it makes sense to focus on electric vehicles, cooperate on fuel cells 1368201120

The last time we spoke with Renault-Nissan head Carlos Ghosn, at the Geneva Motor Show, he spoke about the 70,000 all-electric vehicles his company's have sold to happy customers and how these vehicles are just the beginning of the EV era. Speaking at the New York Auto Show a little over a month ago, Ghosn went into detail about how building electric cars ...
0

SAE wants Combo fast charging, Nissan remains committed to CHAdeMO 1364514780

Despite growing competition from the SAE Combo Charger Nissan remains committed to CHAdeMO. But why turn the disagreement into a fight? At the New York Auto Show this week, the Nissan booth displayed a sign that promoted the first major DC Fast Charging standard and says, "Nissan is committed to creating an industry standard for charging, and to finding ...
0

Nissan Leaf sales will hit new record in March, around 1,900 units 1364405400

During a side session at the New York Auto Show today, José Muñoz, the senior vice president for sales and marketing, US and Canada, for Nissan, revealed that the Nissan Leaf electric vehicle is having a tremendous sales month. The company doesn't yet know the specific number – there are a few selling days left, after all – but ...
0

Carlos Ghosn: For Renault and Nissan, 70,000 EVs sold is just the beginning 1362765660

Navigating the new world of electric vehicles takes leaps of faith and lots of planning. It also requires someone at the helm who's ready to try different things and also stick to his guns. In other words, it's not easy. But Renault and Nissan head Carlos Ghosn keeps on moving forward. Speaking at the Geneva Motor Show this week, Ghosn said the EV ...
0

Official: Nissan Leaf becomes least expensive 5-seat EV with massive price drop 1358197860

In a roundtable interview today at the North American International Auto Show, Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn announced a $6,400 price drop for the base-model 2013 Nissan Leaf. Last year's base model was $35,200, while the new base-level 2013 Leaf S starts at $28,800. Ghosn says the new prices make the Leaf the least expensive five-seater electric for sale in ...

0

Report: Spitballs flying between Nissan and Fiat 1354834980

At the 2012 LA Auto Show, Fiat brand chief and recently crowned marketing genius, Olivier François, attempted to distance the Fiat 500e from other electric vehicles, asking rhetorically, "Isn't ugliness the worst kind of pollution?" Nissan has apparently taken issue with these comments, feeling slighted for what it considers digs at the Leaf's ...
0

Nissan Leaf's November, December sales likely to climb back to 2011 levels 1354237080

Nissan is apparently past the problems that plagued sales of its all-electric Leaf earlier past year and is likely to either surpass or be close to matching its 2011 sales numbers for November and December, according to a company executive at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Nissan ran into supply issues after it expanded distribution to all 50 states from ...
0

Official: Nissan Leaf aims to take world record in reverse at Goodwood 1340802840

When Nissan wants to set a speed record, you'd expect it to use the GT-R to get there. Or maybe one of its myriad racing cars – it does, after all, power the bulk of the LMP2 racers on the grid at Le Mans, not to mention the experimental DeltaWing. But the Leaf? Sure, maybe for emissions-free motoring, but not for speed. Yet it's the Leaf in which ...
0

Nissan announces connectivity improvements for Altima, Leaf; should provide better range estimates 1334009100

Nissan last week announced connectivity improvements for some of its models, including the upgraded Altima that is set to debut this summer as well as the Leaf battery-electric vehicle. The Japanese automaker, which made the announcements at the New York Auto Show, said its NissanConnect system will launch in the new Altima this July. The system will ...
0

Infiniti LE Concept will spawn production electric sedan within two years 1333640100

Yes, Infiniti has indeed made a habit of teasing the masses with exotic and eco-friendly concepts at some of the world's largest auto shows over the past few years, notably with the Emerg-E and Essence Concepts. But, unlike those rolling showcases, the automaker claims its latest reveal, known rather cryptically as the LE Concept, will hit dealerships ...