New Nissan LEAF with e-Pedal premieres in the U.S. September 5 (Septermber 6 in Japan)
Category Archives: Nissan
Nissan Expects 20% Of Its European Sales Will Be EVs By 2020
Nissan must be pretty sure of finding success with the next generation 2018 LEAF (which debuts in September), as the Japanese company expects that up to 20% of its new auto sales in Europe to be zero emission in just 3 years time. Nissan has also stated that two more all-electric vehicles will arrive between now and the end of this decade.
The statement on EV sales in Europe comes from Gareth Dunsmore, Electric Vehicle (EV) Director for Nissan Europe, after the French environment minister hinted at end of gas and diesel sales entirely by 2040.
“By 2020, where the market conditions are right, I’m confident we’ll be selling up to 20 percent of our volume as zero emissions vehicles and this will only grow,”
Dunsmore via Reuters.
What does 20% mean for Nissan in raw sales?
Well, in fiscal year 2016 Nissan sold 735,725 vehicles in Europe, so 20% of that would be more than 147,000 EVs! That’s a lot, but if the new LEAF is reasonably priced, and the new offers are competitive, then it also seems doable at the same time.
As for those “other” offerings: Freshly minted Nissan CEO Hiroto Saikawa has said his company will bring two new all-electric vehicles to market over the next two years, while recently retired Nissan Chief Engineer Shiro Nakamura gave some background on what those new EVs might be, as he said Nissan plans for a BEV sedan and a utility vehicle.
In 2016 Nissan sold some 23,000 EVs (18,500 LEAFs and less than 4,500 e-NV200).
But what do we really like about this 20% figure Nissan is putting out there? It’s the fact that Nissan isn’t just talking about a new EV to being introduced in 2020, or an ambitious fleet goal set for so far away that they can’t be accountable for it (like 10 years from now)…but one that is only some ~30 months away.
Source: Inside EVs
Increased consumer interest helps used electric vehicle values rise 7% says Cap HPI
Chris Plumb, a motoring expert from HPI, said: “Interestingly it appears to be the range extender models which is driving the recent strong performance as values of pure electric have struggled of late.
“The BMW i3 is a popular choice and is a great second-hand buy. It brings a good level of specification and badge prestige.
“The optional range extender can increase the range of the BMW i3 in comfort Mode from up to 125 miles to a total of 206 miles. The small, rear-mounted, quiet two-cylinder petrol engine powers a generator that maintains the charge of the battery at a constant level, so that the BMW i3 can continue to drive electrical.”
The Nissan Leaf with the 30KWh power train is attracting higher used values than the 24kWh as it has a larger range, with an NEDC range of up to 124 miles (Leaf 24kWh) or up to 155 miles (LEAF 30kWh).
Demand for petrol hybrid used vehicles remains high. Used values bucked market trends in June and prices strengthened overall, moving up by an average of 0.2% at three years 60,000 miles.
Certain derivatives performed particularly well such as the Toyota Prius (12-17) Plug-In which increased by 3.9%, Lexus RX (12-16) Hybrid which saw values rise by 2% as too did the Prius+ (12- ) Hybrid.
Source: FleetNews
Which are the best used electric and hybrid car buys?
As electric car sales rise, so does the number of them available on the used car market.
So the question is, which are the best used electric car buys available right now?
The first one is obvious – the BMW i3. This fantastically styled little hatchback is the embodiment of what we think of when someone says ‘electric car’. It has an exceptionally modern design that even four years on still looks futuristic, and the same can be said about the interior that is uber modern with its crisp design and light-coloured textiles and wood used throughout.
To buy one new today will set you back a minimum of £32,340 with a government grant of £4,500. However, search on the second-hand car market and you can pick yourself up a great deal.
According to research by valuation and provenance experts Cap HPI, a 2015 registration with just 20,000 miles on the clock can be bought for less than £14,650. Opt for the one with the range-extending three-cylinder petrol engine and you’ll pay from £18,400.
Another car on the list is the Nissan Leaf. This is an electric hatchback that has been with us for some years now but is still a very popular choice – much of which is down to its reliability and affordability.
A new top-spec Tekna variant of the Leaf will cost around the same as a BMW i3 with a few goodies, but second-hand and the savings are very impressive. A 2015 model can be had from £9,900, meaning electric cars can bought for an affordable price.
The third car on the list isn’t quite a fully electric vehicle, but the Toyota Prius is still a hybrid. Second-hand values are surprisingly strong, and have in fact risen slightly by 3.9 per cent.
The research shows that there are electric and hybrid models to suit most budgets out there, with used examples being excellent value for money when considering the savings on fuel over a 12-month period too.
Source: Aol.
Electric Cars to Test Drive at the Experience Centre – How Many Can You Name?
There weren’t cars only on display inside the Electric Vehicle Experience Centre (EVEC) at the launch. There were also a large number charging up outside, presumably getting ready for test drives for the public for the opening the next day.
The large numbers and broad range of EVs available was impressive.
How about a quick quiz: can you identify them all? The answers are given below.
Of course, whether you own an EV or are considering your first, you’re welcome to test drive any of the vehicles on show for free. Just get in touch and we’ll help arrange it.
Answers to the Quiz: these are the electric cars waiting to give test drives (from nearest the camera to furthest away):
- Renault ZOE ZE40
- Nissan Leaf
- Volkswagen e-Up
- Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
- Kia Soul EV
- BMW i3
- Volkswagen Passat GTE
- Volkswagen Golf GTE
The Milton Keynes Electric Vehicle Experience Centre (EVEC) has Launched
Last weekend saw the long awaited opening of the Electric Vehicle Experience Centre (EVEC) in Milton Keynes. It officially opened to the public on Saturday 22nd July. It is funded through a government scheme awarded to the local council and is managed by Chargemaster, the company that has installed the majority of charge points around Milton Keynes.
The EVEC is essentially a car showroom for electric cars but is located in a shop space on Crown Walk in the main centre:mk shopping centre (it’s close to the middle and next to Boots). It doesn’t resemble an out-of-town dealership so much as the boutique style shops developed by Tesla, Apple and most mobile ‘phone companies.
EVEC Purpose
The aim of the Centre is to both showcase existing electric models and be an information point for EV ownership in general. Visitors will be able to talk with staff about all elements of owning and running an EV, with test drives available too. It has been established to increase the number of EVs sold in the area. Milton Keynes’ target is for 23% of all new cars registered locally to be electric by 2021.
We are grateful to Chargemaster for inviting us to the Preview Event on Friday Night (Jo’s thoughts: A Little Bit of Zen). Most of the other guests appeared to be existing EV owners. The showroom housed examples of the Nissan Leaf, BMW i3, Volkswagen Golf GTE and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. There were drinks and snacks, and then introductory speeches by David Martell, Chief Executive of Chargemaster, and Ted Foster, the new EVEC Manager. After the talks we had an opportunity to talk to Ted and the other staff.
EVEC Test Drives
As well as providing help and guidance on electric cars and EV driving, the EVEC is also making cars available for test drives. These can be short accompanied drives, however there is also the option of week-long extended test drives. For these there will be a charge (we understand about £70) largely to cover the inevitable cost of insurance. That’s seems fair to us – £10 per day to drive a new car, particularly considering the fuel costs will be negligible.
The enthusiasm of the EVEC ‘gurus’ is clear and we certainly appreciate the enthusiasm and resources that have gone into building and staffing the first dedicated electric vehicle showroom in the UK (and probably in the world). We wish it every success and will be supporting it by passing local customers to it for test drives.
If you live near Milton Keynes and are interested in taking a test drive in any one of a large range of new electric cars (including the Renault ZOE, Nissan Leaf, BMW i3, Golf GTE, and others) just get in touch with us on 01908-904020, or by email at sales@ fuelincluded.com.
Nissan to turn over new Leaf on September 6
Pioneering electric car must make big advancements in range, tech to keep pace.
After seven model years and hundreds of thousands of units sold, it’s finally time for Nissan to reveal a new Leaf. The Japanese automaker has just confirmed that its second-generation all-electric hatchback will bow on September 6, although it remains cagey about further details.
The next Leaf is expected to draw its styling inspiration from Nissan’s well-received IDS Concept, an aggressive-looking five-door showcar from 2015 featuring next-generation electric propulsion as well as autonomous drive tech. The new hatchback — which will likely come to market as a 2018 model — is expected to substantially improve on the 107-mile range offered in today’s car.
It had better. Fresher competitors like the Chevrolet Bolt EV, Hyundai Ioniq and next-generation Volkswagen E-Golf have all eclipsed Nissan’s pioneering EV in both range and in-car electronics, and Tesla’s Model 3 looms large over the segment (even though it hasn’t been shown in production form yet). In other words, Nissan is going to have to seriously up the Leaf’s technology game in order to compete in this small but fiercely competitive segment.
The company may well be up to the challenge. Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has made developing all-electric powertrains a cornerstone of the brand’s future product plans, and as the first modern mass-production electric automobile, the Leaf maintains a special place in the company’s heart.
To that end, the Yokohama-based automaker recently disclosed that the next Leaf will be available with a version of its ProPilot driver-assist technology. The hardware will manage acceleration, braking and steering within a single lane on the freeway to help increase safety and lower driver stress. Thus far, class rivals have yet to bring anything similar to market.
Source: Road Show
Nissan LEAF charges to 20,000 UK sales as all-electric favourite is named ‘Best Green Car’ in 2017 Driver Power New Car Survey
As Nissan LEAF charged past the milestone of 20,000 sales in the UK, owners of the best-selling electric vehicle have heaped praise on the model in the 2017 Driver Power survey.
The Nissan LEAF was awarded Best Green Car overall and also came top in the Best Engine and Gearbox and Best MPG and Running Costs awards categories.
Driver Power is the UK’s biggest and most in-depth car satisfaction survey, with seven surveys covering the different phases of vehicle ownership. There also nine Judging Category awards split into satisfaction categories.
Editor of Auto Express, Graham Hope, commented;
“The Nissan LEAF’s results in the 2017 survey indicates that the hard work that the Nissan team has put in developing the vehicle and educating the market about the benefits of Electric Vehicles (EV) has paid off.”
“Leading the way in EVs is important. People are becoming more conscious of green vehicles (Hybrids and Electric Vehicles) and this year we have seen a 375% increase in the number of green vehicle owners.”
The Driver Power results came as Nissan GB confirmed it had sold its 20,000th Nissan LEAF in the UK.
The buyers of the milestone model were Diane and Chris Ray of Hollesley in Suffolk, who took home a range-topping 30kWh LEAF Tekna from local dealer Hammond Nissan.
It is the couple’s second Nissan LEAF – replacing a two year-old 24kWh model – and it was the only car on their shopping list when the time came for a replacement.
Diane, who runs a holiday let business, said:
“I love the LEAF. It does everything I want from a car and is beautiful to drive.
“When the time came to replace mine I didn’t look at anything else. I only wanted another LEAF but this time with the bigger battery.”
She added:
“It was a real surprise to find out I was the 20,000th LEAF customer but it’s so encouraging to see more and more people switching to all-electric cars and exciting to know I’m a part of that story.”
Read more: Nissan GB News
Nissan Leaf Charges To 20,000 UK Sales
As Nissan LEAF charged past the milestone of 20,000 sales in the UK, owners of the best-selling electric vehicle have heaped praise on the model in the 2017 Driver Power survey.
The Nissan LEAF was awarded Best Green Car overall and also came top in the Best Engine and Gearbox and Best MPG and Running Costs awards categories.
Driver Power is the UK’s biggest and most in-depth car satisfaction survey, with seven surveys covering the different phases of vehicle ownership. There also nine Judging Category awards split into satisfaction categories.
Editor of Auto Express, Graham Hope, commented;
“The Nissan LEAF’s results in the 2017 survey indicates that the hard work that the Nissan team has put in developing the vehicle and educating the market about the benefits of Electric Vehicles (EV) has paid off.”
“Leading the way in EVs is important. People are becoming more conscious of green vehicles (Hybrids and Electric Vehicles) and this year we have seen a 375% increase in the number of green vehicle owners.”
The Driver Power results came as Nissan GB confirmed it had sold its 20,000th Nissan LEAF in the UK.
The buyers of the milestone model were Diane and Chris Ray of Hollesley in Suffolk, who took home a range-topping 30kWh LEAF Tekna from local dealer Hammond Nissan.
It is the couple’s second Nissan LEAF – replacing a two year-old 24kWh model – and it was the only car on their shopping list when the time came for a replacement.
Diane, who runs a holiday let business, said:
“I love the LEAF. It does everything I want from a car and is beautiful to drive.
“When the time came to replace mine I didn’t look at anything else. I only wanted another LEAF but this time with the bigger battery.”
She added:
“It was a real surprise to find out I was the 20,000th LEAF customer but it’s so encouraging to see more and more people switching to all-electric cars and exciting to know I’m a part of that story.”
Read more: Fleet Point
Heathrow chooses Nissan Leaf to inspire EV usage
Heathrow airport has added 17 Nissan Leafs to its fleet to inspire a new culture of electric car usage.
The airport has allocated 12 vehicles to airside teams such as security and baggage while another five are to be used as pool cars.
Heathrow is committed to making the cars and small vans within its fleet electric or plug-in hybrids by the end of 2020.
Sales director at Nissan Motor (GB), Darren Payne, said:
“I’m sure this initiative will inspire other businesses to follow Heathrow’s lead by using Nissan’s electric vehicles to both reduce their emissions and cut their running costs.”
It is hoped that the visibility of the airside vehicles will encourage third parties operating at the airport to follow suit.
Head of operational strategy at Heathrow, Peter Leeming, said:
“We trialled the Nissan Leaf and found it was the perfect fit for many of our teams and the types of journeys they make. The trial went seamlessly, and within months we placed our order and put the Leaf into full time service.”
A video has been released detailing how the airport intends to implement the conversion and the trial process.
Source: FleetNews