Read about Indian Autos Blog’s casual encounter with the Nissan Leaf

The clear advantages of EVs are that they don’t run on fossil fuel and as a result don’t pollute the environment. However, most auto manufactures haven’t yet cracked the holy grail of EVs. The EVs that are running on the streets today have several shortcomings and thus haven’t yet fully replaced fossil fuel burning traditional vehicles.

The CEO of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, Carlos Ghosn is the biggest advocate of EVs in the industry. He made an announcement last year that the Renault-Nissan Alliance will pump 5.6 billion dollars to build 500,000 electric vehicles and batteries at 11 factories in eight countries by 2013.

Ghosn believes that the technology of the batteries, the technology of the motors, and the technology of the other components makes it possible to have a car with a very competitive performance to internal combustion. The automotive industry is not going to be able to continue to prosper unless the manufacturers embrace technology that is independent of oil and respectful of the environment.

Head over to Wired.com to read more on the EV development plans of Renault Nissan Alliance that was published last year.

The tiny tots are fired by an 18-kWh battery pack wired to a 80 hp electric motor. This lends a range of 81 miles with a top speed of 81mph. Volkswagen will introduce its version by 2013 followed by the Skoda model a year later.

The petrol engined Up! is on sale across Europe while the Citigo is available in its home market of Czech Republic. The petrol Citigo’s availability will extend to other European markets in 2013. It is powered by a 1L petrol engine producing 60 or 75hp.

[Source - WOT.MotorTrend.com]

The Vista EV was parked at the 2012 Auto Expo in Delhi demonstrating Tata Motors’ technological prowess. But, in case you missed it, here is a nicely edited video showing the features of the Vista EV.

The e-NV-200 has a grafted Nissan Leaf’s front fascia. In addition to sweeping headlamps and LED accents, the hood features a blue-accent badge that pops open to reveal a charging port. The e-NV200 features a pair of large glass roof panels, which gives the interior a more airy feel, as well as advanced telematics and a digital instrument display that appears to be inspired by an iPad.

The e-NV200 shares its electric drive system — an 80kW motor and lithium-ion battery pack — with the Nissan Leaf. It’s expected to provide around the same 160km range as the LEAF. Nissan states that this van would be suitable for both commercial and passenger use in large metropolitan areas.

[Source: AutoBlog.com]

The Verito EV sports giant decals shouting out its new heart, redesigned speed control, a new digital meter and REVA badges. Stay tuned for more info.

Mahindra Verito Electric Image Slideshow

Visit the Mahindra Verito Electric Flickr Page to view the image gallery directly.

Economies of scale

This one’s making the Micra owner blush – Same start button on Leaf!

We spent a few minutes driving the Leaf and this is what we could get.

Christmas Tree sign does not mean Santa’s arrived

Tree sign is a gauge rewards your driving habits - More trees mean you are impressing her!

Leaf connotes a greener environment, right?

Leaf stands for Leading, Environmentally friendly, Affordable, Family car

Did someone leave behind their hair gel?

No, that's the Leaf's drive selector - Choose Eco mode and turn off AC for maximum range

So many buttons and controls!

No weight saving or cost cutting measures here - It feels just like any other vehicle

Alloy wheels, so what?

Regenerative braking charges battery, special tires lower rolling resistance

Look! Even the neighbors can charge their mobile phones on this car.

No, you don't charge mobile phones here. This is the Leaf's own charging port.

Color codes warn you on the approaching storm?

No! The intensity of grey varies with the number of charging stations in the region

Nissan Leaf Image Gallery

We were allowed to drive the fully-electric Leaf in a small track surrounded by traffic cones to understand the vehicle’s maneuverability, instant acceleration, on-board computer and comfort. The most impressive feature in the Leaf for any driver is the pin-drop silence in the cabin. The acceleration is shocking as 100% torque is available from 0 RPM. The Leaf squashes the myth that electric vehicles are slow and boring. More importantly it achieved a maximum 5 star rating at the EuroNCAP crash test, so its as safe as a house.

The Leaf is driven by an electric motor that generates 110 hp and 280 Nm torque. It is a C-Segment hatchback sporting a interior color scheme, similar to the Micra’s.

Over 3,000 examples are on roads today, but the REVA is what karting is to motor racing – its very basic, its sold as a quadricycle in some markets. It uses Lead Acid batteries and the passenger and luggage space seem like an afterthought.

Wheelbase of diesel variant is retained while extra rear overhang contains the batteries

The Beat EV, Fluence Z.E. and Kangoo Z.E. are everyday cars and not purpose built. They are diesel or petrol vehicles with their mechanicals ripped out to be substituted with electric technology. Having cabin space, stowage space, features, safety and functions of an everyday car, they tick the most crucial box – Driver feels comfortable and familiar as he steps into the cabin.

We’ve discussed how the Fluence Z.E. drives in a previous article. In this posting, we’re discussing the pointers from the presentation. From here on content is factual.

Smart phone app gives you charge status and lets you remotely regulate cabin temperature for your arrival

Renault believes at least 10% of vehicle sales by 2010 will be contributed by electric cars. With the electric editions of the Fluence and Kangoo, Renault says its in the brink of a revolution.

The Fluence is predicted to have 30% customers from the private category and rest from fleet category.

Example wall box charging you can use at home or at work

Renault is signing plenty of public and private partnership for subsidies and setting up of charging stations. In 2012, they will have 50,000 charging terminals in Europe. Portugal already has a few and work’s started in France and Germany.

It is predicted that 90% of the charging will be at the customer’s home/office through a wall box. It takes 6-8 hours to reach full charge. A normal household socket will take 12 hours to recharge the battery. Renault’s ‘Quick Charge’ that provides 100% charge in 30-60 minutes is being developed.

The navigation system also provides these details on the electric vehicle lineup

Charging cable is provided with the car. Charging stations are coming up on supermarkets, parking lots, roadside points and many other public and private infrastructure. Our cars were being charged at the Lisbon airport basement parking and using wall boxes in the hotel.

Two realistic range outcomes

In countries like Denamark and Australia, battery stations will switch depleted batteries with a fresh one. The car drives over a raised platform and an automated mechanism plucks the used battery from underneath the car and mounts a new one. This form of charging is called Quick Drop. It is not applicable to the Kangoo or vehicles where the battery is spread across the floor.

The motor and electronics are mounted on the front and the batteries are placed behind the rear passenger

The Z.E. variant has the exact same equipment as the diesel or petrol variant. It will be sold through the existing dealer network.

Renault says 87% of Europe drives less that 60km/day.

The four aspects influencing range are 1) Speed 2) Kind of driving 3) Land Gradient 4) Outside temperature – If the outside temperature is less, the battery underperforms until the optimal working temperature is reached.

Comparing the cabin noise levels of the Fluence siblings using math and science

Eco button on the AC uses the temperature regulation judiciously and betters range. Low rolling resistance tires developed by Goodyear specially for Fluence improves range.

Renault tested the Fluence Z.E. in water and dust tunnels to check for leaks and battery reaction.

The vehicle is manufactured at the Oyak plant in Bursa, Turkey which has a capacity of manufacturing 30k units annually. Z.E. centers in Europe will come up for the purpose of handing out test drives.

Renault Fluence siblings acceleration comparison - The Z.E wins this one hands down

At 20,900 Euros, the cost of a Renault Fluence Z.E is the same as the diesel Fluence (after incentives). Renault has decided to lease the batteries at 82 Euro a month for a period of three years. It takes an amount of two euros for one full charge in Europe.

The Z.E has 20% less maintenance cost compared to the diesel. There is no business of oil change, filter change and drive belt change on the electric vehicle.

Renault Z.E vehicles – Presentation Gallery