Nissan's electric car shows green commitment

• Source: Shanghai Daily
• [10:25 July 28 2009]
• Comments

The car shown yesterday uses a lithium-ion battery pack that is placed under the vehicle floor to allow for more cabin and luggage space. The braking system recharges the battery while the car is driving, extending the driving range to 160 kilometers under a full charge, Nissan said. With the lighter weight and more energy efficient batteries, the new electric car can double the mileage of the Hypermini model introduced in 1998.

Nissan shares the battery design with its alliance partner Renault as part of a cost-cutting effort.

Proponents of hybrids, like market-leader Toyota Motor Corp, the world's biggest auto maker, say the limited driving range of electric vehicles makes them suited for daily commutes or shopping at best, and so hybrids are the best solution.

Hybrids have gas engines as well as a motor on board, and they charge themselves as they scoot along so they don't have to be plugged in for charging, as do electric cars.

But Nissan Executive Vice President Mitsuhiko Yamashita said the firm plans to cut gas emissions by 90 percent by 2050, "a challenge that goes far beyond what hybrids can achieve but not electric vehicles."