Nissan Leaf public test drive at Jalan Kemajuan showroom, 5-6 May

Nissan Leaf public test drive at Jalan Kemajuan showroom, 5-6 May

Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM) is inviting members of the Malaysian public to experience the world’s first mass produced, all-electric and zero-emission Nissan vehicle in ETCM showroom at Jalan Kemajuan, Petaling Jaya, Selangor on 5th & 6th May 2012.

Attendees at the “Journey to Zero Emission” event can get behind the wheel of the Nissan Leaf and discover its new technology and innovations themselves.
“At Nissan, we are investing in a portfolio of ‘green’ technology that includes the much-awaited zero-emission vehicle. With zero carbon dioxide emissions and zero particles, our electric car will be the most environmentally friendly mass produced model in the world. This car is also safe, fun to drive, well engineered and attractive. We are excited to invite the public to drive the car because we know they will be impressed,” explained Dato’ Dr. Ang Bon Beng, the Executive Director of ETCM.

The 2-day “Journey to Zero Emission” event starts at 9:30am until 6:00pm.

Chevrolet Volt / Opel Ampera Euro Car of the year 2012

Chevrolet Volt / Opel Ampera European Car of the year 2012 

 For users who cover moderate daily distances, the autonomy as an electric vehicle is adequate, recharge rather fast and the energy cost very low. Other kind of motorists would have to eventually rely in electric energy generated on board. 

The Ampera/Volt, with a petrol engine operating as a generator when needed, faces the so called ‘range anxiety’ of battery-driven car users with the concept of an ‘Extended range EV’. GM has addressed the concerns on heat control of the lithium-ion battery pack with new solutions. The problem with the batteries is solved.

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Electric cars on local roads by June

KOTA BARU: Malaysians can expect to see electric cars on the road by June after legal standardisation of the vehicles is completed.

Road Transport Department director-general Datuk Solah Mat Hassan said the Transport Ministry was drawing up laws to enable 10 appointed companies to start producing the cars.

“We are now in the final stage of formulating the laws on the use of such cars on Malaysian roads according to the United Nations Economic Commissions for Africa standards pertaining to the electric cars.

Solah

“We first have to get down to basics where car manufacturers must meet specifications formulated like the type of battery, maximum speed and the braking system,” he said Friday after opening the Malaysian Driving Institute Association annual general meeting and dialogue session.

Solah also said Parliament passed an amendment to the Road Transport Act 1987 last year to accommodate the electric cars in the Act whereby only the chassis numbers of the electric cars need to be registered at JPJ.

He also said the ministry was working out other details on how to convert electric power to horsepower and the amount of road tax.

Earlier, in his speech, Solah said the department needed the cooperation of driving institutes to self-regulate when handling new driving students.

He said the move would help create competition among the institutes to produce competent new drivers.

 

SOURCE...  

Nissan Leaf is 2011 European Car of the Year

 

YOKOHAMA: In a historic moment for Nissan and zero emission vehicles, the fully electric Nissan Leaf was awarded 2011 European Car of the Year.

The world’s first mass-marketed, affordable, zero-emission vehicle for the global market beat 40 contenders to win motoring’s most important accolade.

This is the first time in the 47-year history of the annual competition that the award has gone to an electric vehicle.

Nissan Leaf’s rivals included vehicles from brands such as Alfa Romeo, Citroen, Dacia, Ford, Opel/Vauxhall and Volvo. The jury included 57 leading motoring journalists from 23 European countries.

“The jury acknowledged today that the Nissan LEAF is a breakthrough for electric cars. Nissan Leaf is the first EV that can match conventional cars in many respects,” said Hakan Matson, President of the Jury, Car of the Year.

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.’s President and CEO Carlos Ghosn said: “This award recognises the pioneering zero-emission Nissan Leaf as competitive to conventional cars in terms of safety, performance, spaciousness and handling. It also reflects Nissan’s standing as an innovative and exciting brand with a clear vision of the future of transportation, which we call sustainable mobility. With three other electric vehicles in the pipeline from Nissan – and with the imminent market introduction of four additional electric vehicles from our Alliance partner Renault – Nissan Leaf represents a significant first step toward a zero-emission future.”

Nissan Leaf is powered by a compact electric motor in the front of the car, which drives the front wheels. The AC motor develops 80kW of power and 280Nm of torque, enough for a maximum speed of 145kph.

The electric motor is powered by a Nissan-developed laminated lithium-ion battery with an output of more than 90kW. The car has a range of 175km between charges making it a practical proposition for many urban drivers.

The vehicle is fully equipped with features such as regenerating braking, air conditioning, satellite navigation, parking camera and advanced on-board IT and telematics systems. Innovative connectivity will allow an owner to set charging functions to monitor the car’s current state of charge and the remaining battery capacity, as well as to heat or cool the interior of the car remotely via mobile phone or computer.

The Nissan Leaf will be available in five colours in Europe – blue metallic and pearl, white pearl, silver metallic, black solid and red pearl. The single option is a solar panel mounted in the rear spoiler that supports charging of the car’s 12V battery used for powering accessories.

Deliveries in Japan and the United States begin this December. In Europe, deliveries start in early 2011 to Portugal, the Republic of Ireland, Britain and the Netherlands. The zero-emission car is currently being built in Japan, but will also be produced in North America and Europe when new manufacturing facilities open in late 2012 and early 2013.

In Europe, the company will soon launch an advanced petrol-electric hybrid luxury sedan wearing the Infiniti badge, while crossover vehicles, such as Nissan Qashqai and Nissan Juke, have created new vehicle segments.

Next year will also see the arrival of the fourth generation Nissan Micra powered by a supercharged version of an all-new 1.2-litre three cylinder direct injection petrol engine with an Idling Stop system to offer spirited performance and CO2 emissions of just 95g/km.

Nissan has won the CoTY award in Europe before. In 1993, the British-built Nissan Micra became the first car from a Japanese automaker to win the accolade and started Europe’s love affair with the little car that continues today with the recent launch of the newest Nissan Micra model.

SOURCE: http://www.star-motoring.com/News/2010/Nissan-Leaf-is-2011-European-Car-of-the-Year-.aspx