Although Formula E has shown that electric power can be used for racing cars and the appearance of fully electric vehicles (EVs) in some motorsports events has also proven that all-electric powertrains can be very powerful, there are still people who imagine EVs are slow and boring.
Such vehicles were first promoted for their clean technology as they generated no exhaust gases while in use, meaning zero emissions into the environment. They are ideal for personal mobility as well as various forms of transport within cities or even for inter-city travel.
With the current state of EV technology, the range on a fully-charged battery pack has been steadily increasing and so has performance. As it is, the characteristic of an electric motor is that it generates maximum torque virtually from standstill, zipping off the line like a radio-control models car when the accelerator pedal is depressed.
You don’t need a powerful tyre-smoking sportscar to drift as the all-electric Nissan LEAF can also drift (below).
Drifting and electric mobility
And believe it or not, you can also drift an EV, as a professional stunt driver shows with the latest Nissan LEAF. Drifting is usually performed by sportscars with powerful internal combustion engines, but Nissan wanted to try something different. In an unlikely pairing of adrenaline-inducing drifts and electric mobility, the LEAF was shown to produce both maximum torque and force, while delivering virtually silent donuts and burnouts.
The world’s best-selling EV therefore debunked outdated perceptions that electric vehicles are nothing but large golf carts. Throughout the test, the LEAF’s emissions naturally remained at zero – a number symbolized by the vehicle’s donut tread marks.
Try the LEAF yourself
You don’t have to buy a LEAF just to go drifting. Buy it for the driving pleasure that comes from much quieter and smoother motoring, and the satisfaction of doing your part to protect the environment for future generations. And you no longer have petrol costs to worry about too!
The LEAF is available in Malaysia and to locate a showroom where you can learn more about it and take a test-drive, visit www.nissan.com.my.
The recent EE Pocket-lint Awards 2019 saw the Nissan LEAF e+ being crowned with the ‘Product of the Year’ award as well as ‘Best Car’ in a single night. Voted by the major players of the industry as well as the general public, the award ceremony celebrates the best of technologies, gadgets, and games that were released in the past 12 months. (more…)
Nissan, which can claim leadership in mass-produced electric vehicles (EVs) with its bestselling LEAF, has long experience with EVs. Though we only read about its advances in recent times, it had a running electric car called the Tama in the late 1940s which was used as a taxi. But EVs in those days had poor performance and as the technology for such vehicles was hard to develop, the manufacturers focused on internal combustion engines which became dominant up till today.
But with pressure to cut exhaust emissions drastically and reduce fuel consumption, the industry began to get serious about EVs again as the new century began. While some companies focused on hybrids, Nissan chose to focus on a pure EV and by December 2010, it launched the LEAF.
As battery and EV technology kept advancing, the performance of the LEAF kept improving and the second generation offers higher performance plus greater range. But just as with internal combustion engine cars, there is a quest to keep pushing the envelope where performance is concerned and Nissan has revealed some of the technologies that will take its next generation of EVs to a new level.
Enhanced all-wheel drive system
Recently, it showed the media a prototype based on the LEAF with an enhanced all-wheel drive system powered by front and rear high-power motors integrated. Nissan developed the chassis control technology in-house for the electric-drive all-wheel-control system. It’s a development that brings to mind the time when Nissan introduced its advanced ATTESA all-wheel drive technology in the 1980s.
“Soon, Nissan will launch a next-generation EV that will be a true breakthrough,” said Takao Asami, Senior Vice-President for Research and Advanced Engineering at Nissan. “The new electric-drive 4-wheel-control technology now being developed integrates Nissan’s electric propulsion and 4WD control technologies with our chassis control technology to achieve a huge leap in acceleration, cornering and braking performance, on par with the latest sportscars.”
High-output twin-motor drive
Using separate front and rear electric motors, the powertrain generates 227 kW of maximum output and 680 Nm of maximum torque. This output is complemented by the ultra-high-precision motor control which offers highly responsive, yet uncommonly smooth, acceleration. Drivers can benefit from the all-wheel-control system on nearly any road condition, heightening driving performance and confidence.
The prototype’s precision control of both motors provides unparalleled ride comfort. Pitch and dive are minimized by adding regenerative rear motor braking to the usual front motor regenerative braking. When slowing down on city streets, for example, this helps keep passengers from being shaken back and forth. This reduces the potential for motion sickness and related discomfort. Similarly, on rough, bumpy roads and when accelerating, motor control is optimized to maintain ride comfort by minimizing irregular movement.
Independent brake control
In addition to optimizing front and rear torque allocation, the system applies independent brake control at each of the four wheels to maximize the cornering force generated by each tyre. This lets drivers enjoy cornering that faithfully follows their intentions with minimal steering.
Inside, a 12.3-inch display mounted in the centre of the instrument panel reports, in real-time, information on the vehicle control technology via a polished graphic interface. With the custom display, the test driver can better understand car’s movements and judge the all-wheel-control technology’s performance at a glance.
Better tracking and control
Electric 4-wheel-control technology can increase driver confidence across a broad range of road conditions. When cornering on snow-covered roads, for example, the car can faithfully trace the driver’s intended line, thanks to ultra-high-precision motor and brake control. This would greatly enhance safety for the driver as well as other road-users.
Nissan has not said when this new technology will be installed in its models but with the pace of development being so brisk, it should be within the next few years. The thing about the Japanese is that they want to make sure their whatever systems they introduce are thoroughly tested and once in the market, customers will not be inconvenienced by flaws that were not resolved before production.
Visit www.nissan.com.my to know more about the latest LEAF EV which is available in Malaysia and where to test it.
Ten lucky customers who purchased and registered a new Nissan vehicle during the ‘Festive Bonanza Hari Raya’ campaign by Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) recently received a GINTELL DéSpace Star Massage Chair worth RM13,988 each.
The models purchased by the winners from various parts of the country during the campaign period in May and June 2019 were the Nissan X-Trail, Serena S-HYBRID, Navara and Almera.
Buy a new Nissan vehicle before the end of this year and you could win an apartment at The ERA, Duta North Kuala Lumpur.
‘Buy Car Win Home’ Grand Contest still ongoing
Additionally, each winner qualified for the ‘Buy Car Win Home’ Grand Contest where Nissan customers stand a chance to win a brand new 2+1 rooms serviced apartment (worth up to RM665,000) in The ERA, Duta North Kuala Lumpur.
This contest is a unique collaboration between ETCM and JKG Land Berhad. The ‘Buy Car Win Home’ Grand Contest started in December 2018 and ends on December 31, 2019. Customers who purchase and register a new Nissan vehicle during this period qualify with a contest entry.
Experience the all-electric Nissan LEAF
Incidentally, during this weekend and the next, ETCM is having the Nissan Electrifying Drive Carnival at selected Nissan showrooms across the nation. Members of the public can experience the latest Nissan LEAF, the world’s best-selling all-electric vehicle. Many attractive prizes can be won and there are also fun tech activities like the Tech Drive Virtual Reality Experience.
In Britain, there are now more public places to recharge electric vehicle (EVs) than station selling petrol or diesel. In fact, the difference is almost 1,000 – 9,300 EV charging locations compared to 8,400 fuel stations.
This is the finding of Nissan’s UK subsidiary, based on available data and the company says that the crossover actually happened more than a year before Nissan’s 2016 prediction of August 2020. It is believed to be the result of the accelerating adoption of EVs amongst British motorists.
Fuel stations are everywhere
The global fuel station network today is a product of some 100 years of expansion. Places where vehicles can refuel can be found even deep inside the jungles of Africa or the mountain passes of the Himalayas. In Britain, the first fuel station was opened in November 1919 and as the vehicle population grew, so too did the number of stations to meet demand.
However, since 1970, almost 80% of the stations have closed, whilst the number of EV charging locations has increased from a few hundred in 2011 (when the Nissan LEAF went on sale) to more than 9,000 in August 2019.
‘Range anxiety’ can be dismissed
Of these locations, more than 1,600 provide ‘rapid charging’ which can recharge a typical EV battery pack to around 80% capacity in under an hour. According to Zap-Map, two new rapid charge devices came online every day in the last month. Almost all UK motorway service stations now have charging stations installed, the majority of which provide a rapid charge option. So it would be possible for owners of EVs such as the LEAF to travel around the country without ‘range anxiety’.
Transport for London has installed more than 1,000 EV charge points in the last year alone, as supply of fossil fuel within the capital city is becoming scarcer. One of the country’s oldest stations, the Bloomsbury Service Station which had been in operation since 1926, was closed in 2008.
“We’ve moved beyond the early concerns of range anxiety with EVs now exceeding the vast majority of customer’s daily driving needs. The next challenge is for charging infrastructure to keep pace with the number of EVs on the road, and that the experience of recharging is as enjoyable and effortless as that of all-electric driving,“ said Kalyana Sivagnanam, MD of Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd.
Since Nissan launched the first mass-market electric vehicle – the LEAF – in 2010, EV technology has continually improved, with the latest models both affordable and practical for the majority of new car buyers. As a result, Britain is experiencing unprecedented growth in the demand for battery-powered personal transport.
The latest LEAF is now also available in Malaysia. Find out more at www.nissan.com.my.
Sales of the fully electric vehicles around the world has exponentially increased 23-fold in the past five years and many folks nowadays are seriously considering about getting an EV of their own as their next of even first car. For those who have been misinformed about the ownership of owning EV, Nissan and ETCM (Edaran Tan Chong Motor) are here to help clarify a few things. (more…)
The world’s best-selling electric car that is the Nissan Leaf which was previewed here in Malaysia at the end of last year is set for its official debut here in Malaysia but if you’re already in Japan, consider yourself lucky as you can already start booking for the latest and more stylish Nissan Leaf Autech. (more…)
The newly launched Nissan Leaf has already caused a stir in the tech industry. It has taken top honours at the CES (Consumer Electronics Show) annual ‘CES Unveiled’ ceremony, presented by the Consumer Technology Association. The show is regarded by many as being one of the top tech events in the world.
Before a crowd of tech industry experts, the Leaf bagged its first major international award since its launch. But Nissan is adamant that far more accolades will be coming its way once the car is truly been appreciated by consumers and techies around the world.
Nissan’s investment in innovative tech has certainly paid off here, because the CES awards recognized a number of them. The Japanese automaker;s ProPILOT system and e-Pedal tech were awarded the CES Best of Innovation award winner for Vehicle Intelligence and Self-Driving Technology and CES honoree for Tech for a Better World titles respectively.
Prior to the actual CES show, the Consumer Technology Association announces the Best of Innovation award winners to get more people enthusiastic about the actual event. Next year’s show will take place in sunny Las Vegas sometime in January. Held there annually, the 2018 show will have a Nissan Leaf on display for spectators to ogle.
“It is a great honour to have this early and important recognition for the new Nissan LEAF,” said Daniele Schillaci, Nissan’s executive vice president for global marketing and sales, zero-emission vehicles and the battery business, and chairman of the management committee for the Japan/A&O region.
The new Nissan Leaf is the successor to the car that has spearheaded Nissan’s charge into the developing EV market. It builds upon the success of its predecessor by adding better battery range, sleeker looks and more innovative tech that offer better everyday convenience.
Nissan is going to be quite busy within the next several years according to its ‘Four Pillars’ plan that was revealed in Norway. This quartet signifies the company’s focus on the launch of new electric vehicles, additional infrastructure investment, battery charging and home storage advances as well as a revolutionary way of offering free power to EV owners.
The new Leaf has already gone into production and is expected to hit markets such as the UK, very soon. There will be a special variant for Europe called the 2.ZERO, which will have unique fittings that set it apart from the base car. In general, the Leaf will offer a range of 378km per charge, ProPILOT driver assist and autonomous parking systems.
Nissan will also be update its e-NV200 electric van that offers 280km range on a single charge, which is a 60% improvement over its predecessor. Despite the increase in performance, the vehicle’s battery size and weight has remained the same as the one in its predecessor – an impressive feat because storage space and payload capacity remains unchanged.
Working with the EV fast charging standard called CHAdeMO, Nissan plans on expanding its outdoor charging network by 20% over the next 18 months. As it stands, the company already has an extensive network of charging stations that includes over 4600 quick chargers. Now, it plans on installing a further 100 chargers over the course of the next 18 months.
The third area where Nissan plans on making an impact is with improvements to its range of home and office charging units with the introduction of its double speed 7kW charger and 22kW fast charger. the 7kW one is able to charge a Nissan EV to 100% charge in 5.5 hours which is about 70% faster than before.
Its 22kW charger on the other hand, which is mostly targeted at fleet and business owners, can accomplish the same feat in just 2 hours. This super-fast charger can also be purchased by the general public who want a quicker charging experience.
Supplementing this is Nissan’s smart energy storage system for EV owners that will charge connected vehicles when needed and depending on electricity tariffs. This offers customers greater control over the costs incurred for charging their EVs.
Last but not least, through its new bi-directional charging system, Nissan hopes to offer ‘free-power’ to its customers. This system allows Nissan EVs to draw power from the grid when needed and ‘sell back’ this power when the vehicle is sitting idle in a driveway. This helps offset the daily costs of charging such a vehicle.
Though not groundbreaking, Nissan’s latest steps will help shape the way we see electric mobility. Such systems are already at play in places like Denmark but it should catch on in places like the UK where the infrastructure is already available to support the future of electric mobility.
Nissan has achieved a major milestone this week by producing its 150 millionth vehicle. It’s a feat that has taken the Japanese automaker 84 years to accomplish, which it attributes to the conitnued support from all of its stakeholders worldwide, legion of employees, dealers, suppliers and loyal customers.
The automaker managed to produce its 100 millionth vehicle in 2006 and at the time, 76.5% of the total vehicles that Nissan made, came from Japan. In the following years, it opted to localise production based on their respective markets, which helped bolster yearly sales figures even further.
That, Nissan said, was the catalyst that allowed it to build another 50 million vehicles in the span of just 11 years. And now, 76.5% that bear the Nissan name, are made outside of Japan with 13% of them being produced in Europe.
It has been producing vehicles in Spain and the UK for the past 30 years. And since its St. Petersburg plant in Russia opened 10 years ago, Nissan has been making full use of these facilities to feed the demands of the continent.
Currently, Nissan is gearing up to introduced its second generation Leaf, a name that is remembered by many as the first mass-produced family sized electric car in the world. Introduced in 2010, the car received a lukewarm welcome, thanks to a less than stellar range and worldwide infrastructure that wasn’t ready for the EV revolution.
This new car however, will feature some of the latest safety tech and offer an improved range over the first generation Leaf. This, coupled with new infrastruce to support electric vehicles, will help increase demand for the new Leaf.
If proven true, Nissan will be on track to have an excellent year. And it wont be long before the Japanese automaker announces that its 200 millionth vehicle rolled off the production line somewhere in the world.
