Nissan’s answer to the Chevy Volt: new EV & HEV prototypes
Nissan isn’t about to let GM run away with the hybrid electric market and it recently staked a claim in the future market by announcing new prototypes geared to use electricity stored in lithium ion batteries. But what’s unique about Nissan’s approach?
Following its 2012 business plan, Nissan indicated that it’s “. . . committed to zero-emission vehicle leadership, and has announced plans to introduce an all-electric vehicle in 2010 and mass market globally in 2012,” according to a company press release.
Similar to the Chevy Volt, Nissan has promised a unique style for its upcoming vehicles which appeals to drivers looking to make a statement. The new Electric Vehicle (EV) prototype will “. . . not [be] based on any existing Nissan model”. It also incorporates a new 80kW motor and inverter while packing the lithium ion batteries under the floor.
Nissan provides a little more detail on its Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), highlighting a new rear wheel drive system and parallel-powertrain hybrid system. The parallel-powertrain works by shifting between two clutches to conserve battery juice.
Some other details seem familiar from other models like the Toyota Prius and Chevy Volt:
- Idle-stop: The battery is used to power the motor to save on fuel.
- Regular driving: The engine is used to power the motor as well as regenerate the battery.
- Acceleration: Both the engine and battery (power assist) is used to power the motor to achieve smooth acceleration.
- Deceleration: Energy from braking is conserved and re-routed back to regenerate the battery.
And in a slight twist Nissan is using its own batteries, which allows for more control in the supply chain but also may limit its ability to innovate.
Overall it’s good to see Nissan diving into the electric vehicle space because more competition nets a thriving economy with consumer choice. But, many of Nissan’s features seem to mimic existing car models and that may cause challenges for the company when it seeks entry into the developing industry. It needs a strong marketing angle that appeals to the growing segment of people demanding green transportation.
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August 9th, 2008
Good to see that Nissan is not providing any competition for the Volt – they are making another EV1, a big flop then and now. Their hybrid is several years overdue and inferior to the GM/BMW dual-mode.