{"id":5499,"date":"2010-08-02T00:00:03","date_gmt":"2010-08-02T05:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.olino.org\/us\/?p=5499"},"modified":"2010-07-30T11:03:31","modified_gmt":"2010-07-30T16:03:31","slug":"electric-car-nissan-leaf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/olino.org\/blog\/us\/articles\/2010\/08\/02\/electric-car-nissan-leaf\/","title":{"rendered":"Electric Car Nissan LEAF"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Nissan<\/a><\/p>\n

The Nissan LEAF is a fully electric car which is designed from the start to be electric. The car has a range of 100 miles and a top speed of 90 mph.<\/p>\n

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Engine and Batteries<\/h3>\n

The car has an AC synchronous electric motor of 80 kW (107 bhp) with a torque of 280 Nm. The motor is powered by\u00a0 48 lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries with a total capacity of 24 kWh.\u00a0 The batteries are located under the seats.\u00a0\u00a0 This gives the car a low center of gravity. The battery pack will be covered by an 8-year, 100,000-mile warranty.<\/p>\n

Top speed of the car is 90 mph and has a 100 miles\/charge based upon US EPA LA4 City cycle<\/a>.\u00a0 At 55 mph on the highway in 95 degrees and the\u00a0A\/C on,\u00a0 expect the\u00a0range<\/a> to be 70 miles.<\/p>\n

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\nBatteries<\/em><\/p>\n

Sound<\/h3>\n

“Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians<\/p>\n

The system makes it easy for those outside to hear the vehicle approaching, but the sounds do not distract the driver and passengers inside. Thus, the needs of pedestrian safety, as well as driver and passenger comfort, are met. The sound system is the first of its type to be introduced by an automaker.<\/p>\n

In addition to reducing air pollution, Nissan LEAF and other electric vehicles (EVs) reduce noise pollution, making them transformative in yet another way. Unlike their gasoline-powered cars, EVs and hybrids run quietly. Today’s noisy traffic corridors have the potential to possess an almost serene ambience if populated with cars and trucks that are quieter.<\/p>\n

While silence is golden, it does present practical challenges. In response to public concern that quiet EVs and hybrids can surprise pedestrians and the visually impaired as they approach, Nissan has developed a set of distinctive sounds that will come standard with Nissan LEAF to ensure a positive experience for drivers, passengers and pedestrians alike.<\/p>\n

In developing the sound system, Nissan studied behavioral research of the visually impaired and worked with cognitive and acoustic psychologists. After looking at applied original technology developed to reduce vehicle noise and conducting tests in Japan and abroad, the Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians system was created.<\/p>\n

The sine-wave sound system sweeps from 2.5kHz at the high end to a low of 600Hz, an easily audible range across age groups. Nissan worked to avoid a sound range that would add unnecessary noise to the environment (around 1,000Hz).<\/p>\n

Depending on the speed and status (accelerating or decelerating) of Nissan LEAF, the sound system will make sweeping, high-low sounds. For instance, when Nissan LEAF is started, the sound will be louder, so a visually impaired person would be aware that a nearby car was beginning operations. And when a car is in reverse, the system will generate an intermittent sound. The sound system ceases operation when Nissan LEAF tops 30km\/h and enters a sound range where regular road noise is high. It engages again as Nissan LEAF slows to under 25km\/h.<\/p>\n

\"nissan_leaf_sound_small\"<\/a>
\nUse sounds to alert pedestrians<\/em> <\/p>\n

The system is controlled through a computer and synthesizer in the dash panel, and the sound is delivered through a speaker in the engine compartment. A switch inside the vehicle can turn off sounds temporarily. The system automatically resets to “On” at the next ignition cycle.<\/p>\n

The Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians system conforms to guidelines set by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in its report, “Measures for dealing with the silence of hybrids and similar cars,” released in January, 2010.<\/p>\n

Charging<\/h3>\n

The car as an 3.3 kW onboard charger for the battery and comes with a portable trickle charge cable (120V\/20-A). \u00a0As the name implies, \u00a0this will be primarily used for opportunity charging and is not recommended to be\u00a0the primary method of charging.\u00a0 For that, \u00a0Nissan has a home charging dock which uses a 220\/240V 40A dedicated line in\u00a0the home. \u00a0A full charge will take 8h on a 220\/240V home charging station.
\n\"leaf-charging\"<\/a>
\nCharging Location in the Nose of the Car<\/em><\/p>\n

\"nissan-leaf-charging\"<\/a>
\nThe Quick Charge (Left) and Home Charge (Right) Connector<\/em><\/p>\n

A 480V quick-charging capability will eventually be available in many markets once a standard is set.\u00a0 \u00a0480V quickcharge 80% full will take 30 minutes.
\n\"prototype-charger-nissan\"<\/a>
\nPrototype Quick Charging Station<\/em><\/p>\n

It is possible to set a charging timer in the car and control the car\u2019s functions and charging from any computer or internet-enabled phone.<\/p>\n

Further, \u00a0the Nissan LEAF\u2019s navigation system will be able to show the charging locations along the route.<\/p>\n

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\nHome Charging<\/em><\/p>\n

Regenerative Braking<\/h3>\n

Instead of wasting braking energy into heat like a fossil fueled car, the Nissan LEAF uses regenerative braking. \u00a0During braking, the motor is used as generator which will slow the car down and also charge the batteries of the car.<\/p>\n

\"11-nissan-leaf-16\"<\/a>
\nDashboard<\/em><\/p>\n

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\nRegenerative Braking<\/em><\/p>\n

Energy Usage<\/h3>\n

A fully charged battery with a capacity of 24 kWh provides a range of 100 miles in the city. Therefore \u00a0the consumption is 240 Wh \/ mile.\u00a0 The average US residential retail price for electricity in 2010<\/a> is $0.11 \/ kWh.\u00a0 The price per mile is 0,240 kWh x $0.11 = $0.026 or 2.6 dollar-cent per mile.\u00a0 A full battery load will cost 16 kWh x $0.11 = $2.64.\u00a0 With these full batteries\u00a0there is a range of 100 miles.<\/p>\n

Specifications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Energy Usage<\/td>\n240 Wh\/mile<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/td>\n? lbs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Range<\/td>\n100 miles<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Power<\/td>\n80 kW<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Acceleration 0-31 mph<\/td>\n? sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Acceleration 0-63 mph<\/td>\n? sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Battery Capacity<\/td>\n24 kWh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Battery Type<\/td>\nLithium-ion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Charging Time Batteries 100% (230V 14A)<\/td>\n8 hr<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Top Speed<\/td>\n90 mph<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Available<\/td>\n2011<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Price<\/td>\n$25,280<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\"nissan-leaf-electric-vehicle\"<\/a>
\nSide View<\/em><\/p>\n

Design<\/h3>\n

The Nissan LEAF is a compact, 5-door family sedan, with seating for 5 (3 child seats fit in the back seat).\u00a0\u00a0 The car has LED headlights and tail lights. LEDs use far less power than conventional lights. The Nissan LEAF will have an available small solar panel on the rear spoiler to help charge the 12V accessory battery.<\/p>\n

\"nissan-leaf_hi_013\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Rear View<\/p>\n

Safety<\/h3>\n

The car has\u00a0many safety features:<\/p>\n