Is There A Future for The Nissan Leaf Electric Car?

July 18, 2011 by  
Filed under Going Green

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How Profitable Will The Nissan Leaf Electric Car Be?
If on the open market any item for sale does not make a profit over its cost of production then it is deemed to be non-commercial, so where does that leave the Nissan Leaf electric car?
Among the well quoted reasons for producing electric cars are to have less polluting cars on the road by replacing them with alternative fuel cleaner power units, at present the market leader in full time production in the UK  is the Toyota Prius hybrid petrol/electric vehicle with the Nissan Leaf likely to be the first all electric car on the road in the UK.
Since the movement for a cleaner environment via less carbon gas emissions began motor trade engineers have improved their fossil powered units tremendously.
We now not only have much cleaner diesel and petrol engines, which in some cases qualify for a zero rate road tax by emitting below 100g/km of carbon gas emissions, but also achieving 60+mpg which, if every other vehicle matched these figures, it would mean a huge drop in oil imports.
One of the big issues overhanging the electric car market right now is their financial viability. As quoted above, fossil fuelled cars have the mileage range benefit, nationwide refuelling set up for the mass market and a huge advantage in price differential.
Who are the buyers of today’s Nissan Leaf likely to be, possibly public bodies such as councils, if that is the case why should local taxpayers subsidise the development of this niche private sector?
As far as Nissan are concerned the electric car sector will continue to be a niche sector until 2020 and possibly well beyond as their plans are to continue production of petrol and diesel powered cars “for decades” to come; even by 2020 Nissan’s prediction of the electric car market occupying a 10% share of the market is described as “hugely optimistic” by many of its rivals.
Nissan are reputedly in this niche sector for the long game, having invested 2bn Euros over the last 4 years which has been matched by their business partner Renault, making a huge commitment to date which is promised to be an ongoing factor; they are viewing their Nissan Leaf as a trail blazer which is due to be followed by 4 other electric cars over the next couple of years plus at least one from their Infinity range.
With Nissan viewing the profitability of the electric car market over the long term it is understood they are not overly concerned by the single profitability of their Leaf model.
How well does that situation sit with the current position that electric cars cannot be sold viably on the open market without taxpayer subsidies?
With the price of an average UK family car costing £15k compared to a real price of £30k for a Nissan Leaf there is likely to be one showroom the average motorist will not be visiting, that is just too big a differential to go green in these times.
Bill Williams      

http://thecarhub.net is a community for all motoring enthusiasts, with forums, blogs and articles. We offer the same great deals on car insurance, car hire and car accessories as we did on our previous site – you can also now: find the cheapest fuel in your area and be warned of traffic hold ups and much more. We are going places, come on the journey with us.


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Hydrogen Cars: Ford Focus, Hyundai Santa Fe, Chevrolet Equinox, Honda Fcx, Bmw Hydrogen 7, Nissan X-Trail, Peugeot 207, Honda Fcx Clarity

February 1, 2011 by  
Filed under Shop

Hydrogen Cars: Ford Focus, Hyundai Santa Fe, Chevrolet Equinox, Honda Fcx, Bmw Hydrogen 7, Nissan X-Trail, Peugeot 207, Honda Fcx Clarity

Chapters: Ford Focus, Hyundai Santa Fe, Chevrolet Equinox, Honda Fcx, Bmw Hydrogen 7, Nissan X-Trail, Peugeot 207, Honda Fcx Clarity, List of Fuel Cell Vehicles, Ford Airstream, Riversimple Urban Car, General Motors Hy-Wire, Toyota Fchv, Ford Focus Fcv, Mercedes-Benz F-Cell, Bmw H2r, Chevrolet Sequel, Morgan Lifecar, Mazda Premacy Hydrogen Re Hybrid, Mazda Rx-8 Hydrogen Re, General Motors Sequel, Hydrogen3, Peugeot Quark, Fiat Panda Hydrogen, Hydrogen4, Hippomobile, Ford Explorer Fuel Cell Prototype, Mercedes-Benz F-Cell Roadster. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 141. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher’s book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: The Ford Focus is a compact car introduced to North America in 1999 for model year 2000, now in its second generation. The North American models were initially co-developed with the international Focus which debuted at the 1998 Paris Motor Show and were eventually manufactured and sold worldwide, including South America, Africa, Australia, and Asia. First generation North American Focus models paralleled the international Focus using the C170 platform for sedan, hatchback (3 and 5-door), and wagon configurations – with an intermediate facelift for the 2005 model year. Where second generation North American Focus models continue with the C170 platform beginning with model year 2008 in sedan and coupe configurations the international Focus introduced in 2005 employs the newer C1 platform for sedan, hatchback (3 and 5-door), and wagon configurations. Focus production in North America had been shared between Wayne Stamping

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Boxing Match: 2008 Nissan Cube vs. 2008 Scion xB

January 10, 2011 by  
Filed under Fuel Economy


www.edmunds.com In the United States, boxy compacts are still a left-of-center novelty. People buy the Scion xB and Honda Element for their space-efficiency, versatility and neo-Bauhaus design. And they certainly don’t mind the kind of gas mileage that’s made possible by thrifty four-cylinder engines. While sales of such cars are modest (about 60000 Scion xBs were sold in 2006, for example), the xB in particular is a draw for young buyers, who are worth their weight in iPods.

Roadfly.com – 2011 Nissan LEAF Electric Car Road Test & Review

January 8, 2011 by  
Filed under Electric Cars


We finally get some time in the all new, 100% electric car the Nissan LEAF. The first widely available electric car is capable of driving about 110 miles on a charge. The electric motor produces 107 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. The LEAF can be plugged into any conventional home electric outlet to be recharged. The LEAF handles a lot better than expected and it’s acceleration was pretty impressive too. It actually felt quick off the line due to the availability of all 207 lb-ft of torque the second your foot hits the accelerator. Rumors are that the 0-60 MPH time is about 10 or 11 seconds. We didn’t have time to do an official test unfortunately but it felt a lot quicker than that to us. As far as gas mileage goes. The EPA has rated the LEAF at 99 MPG. Wow!!! Roadfly.com – www.roadfly.com Car Forum – http RoadflyTV – www.youtube.com Facebook – www.facebook.com Twitter – twitter.com

Nissan LEAF: Polar Bear Fail

December 30, 2010 by  
Filed under Electric Cars


Will the Nissan Leaf save the Polar Bears?… Thanks for watching! Please SUBSCRIBE! Keep up with me on: Facebook www.facebook.com Twitter www.twitter.com Directed by: Michael Gallagher www.youtube.com Steve Greene as the Polar Bear www.youtube.com BOp:08 Bree Essrig www.youtube.com Nikki Limo www.youtube.com Watch the ORIGINAL VIDEO: www.youtube.com Grizzly Theme by: Becky Jensen www.youtube.com Andy Jensen “Gear Head” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons “Attribution 3.0″ creativecommons.org Nissan Nissan Nissan Nissan Electric Car Electric Car Electric Car Electric Car Polar Bear Polar Bear Polar Bear Polar Bear

Nissan unveil new sedan

December 27, 2010 by  
Filed under Fuel Economy

Survey: Most Malaysians back Najib
By The Star Most Malaysians continue to back Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak despite a drop in his approval rating since May, according to the latest opinion poll released by the Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research. The peninsular Malaysia-wide telephone survey of 1,005 randomly-selected voters, aged 21 and above, was carried out between Nov 30 and Dec 11. From 72% in May, the latest …

Read more on Malaysia Today

China Hikes Fuel Prices
China has announced fuel price hikes of about 4 percent. The National Development and Reform Commission, the country’s top economic planner, said gasoline prices would rise by $46.55 a ton and diesel prices by $45 a ton.

Read more on OfficialWire

Qatar index climbs most in two weeks on oil, growth prospects
Industries Qatar climbs the most in almost four months; Dubai’s DFM dips

Read more on Arabian Business

Mean During Lean: How airport customs staff pocketed P0.5M each of overtime in crisis year
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Nissan unveil new sedan
NISSAN has pulled the wraps off a next-generation global sedan which will sit above the recently released Micra hatchback.

Read more on Queensland Times

2010 Nissan Cube Auto Show Video – Kelley Blue Book

December 22, 2010 by  
Filed under Fuel Economy


FOR MORE CAR VIDEOS & REVIEWS VISIT: www.kbb.com 2010 Nissan Cube. Drafting off the inroads made by other boxy small cars like the Scion xB and Honda Element, Nissan has finally seen fit to bring its previously Japan-exclusive Cube to the US. Now in its third generation the US-bound Cube is somewhat less cube-like, instead offering a cleaner, curvier take on the straight-edged people hauler theme. While eye-catching details like an asymmetrical tailgate and ultra-modern headlights make it easy to focus solely on design the Cube is meant for more than just looking at. The interior is supposedly inspired by the rounded contours of a jacuzzi and can accommodate five passengers in comfort thanks in part to sliding second row bench seat. Power comes from 122-horsepower four cylinder and a promised 30 miles per gallon performance should help endear the Cube to hipsters looking to save cash while rolling in style. For more new car reviews, interviews and automotive news visit www.kbb.com today.

Nissan LEAF™: The Making of Polar Bear

December 18, 2010 by  
Filed under Electric Cars


Look behind the scenes at the making of the Polar Bear commercial for the 100% electric Nissan LEAF.

Nissan Delivers Southern California’s First 100% Electric Nissan LEAF to San Diego Consumer

December 14, 2010 by  
Filed under Going Green

In Cancun climate talks India enjoys place in sun
India has emerged as a new global power on climate change with major nations voicing praise — and surprise — at New Delhi’s agile diplomacy that helped produce a deal in Cancun Mexico.

Read more on AFP via Yahoo! UK & Ireland News

Nextraction Completes Second Round of Fracing in Pinedale, Wyoming and Adds an Experienced Petroleum Engineer to Its …
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwire – 12/14/10) – Nextraction Energy Corp. (TSX-V: NE – News ) (“Nextraction”) is pleased to announce that it has successfully completed a second round of “fracing” by completing the upper Middle, Lance and Tertiary zones of its producing gas well in Pinedale, Wyoming. The well was originally completed in, and is producing from, the Lower Lance and Mesaverde …

Read more on Marketwire via Yahoo! Finance

Wilderness Society wants Utah solar sites targeted to low-impact areas
Wilderness Society wants Utah solar sites targeted to low-impact areas By Brandon Loomis The Salt Lake Tribune Updated Dec 13, 2010 08:01PM MDT The Wilderness Society issued a report Monday praising federal land managers for identifying low-impact areas for solar-energy development but imploring the government to restrict initial public-lands developments to those areas. The U.S. Bureau of Land …

Read more on The Salt Lake Tribune

A first at National Harbor: Apartments
As the housing market has shifted from owning to renting, National Harbor has signed up The Bozzuto Group to help develop, build and later manage the $4 billion Oxon Hill resort’s first apartment community.

Read more on Gazette.net

Nissan Delivers Southern California’s First 100% Electric Nissan LEAF to San Diego Consumer
SAN DIEGO – December 13, 2010: On the heels of the world’s first Nissan LEAF delivery, Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) is bringing sustainable mobility to Southern California with the region’s first delivery of the all-electric Nissan LEAF.

Read more on The Auto Channel

LaFontaine Nissan – “Polar Bear” New Nissan Leaf Commercial – Highland, MI

December 6, 2010 by  
Filed under Hybrid Cars


This is the latest ad from Nissan, known as “Polar Bear”, premiered nationally during the New Orleans Saints vs. Minnesota Vikings game on NBC (9/9/2010). The 2011 Nissan Leaf – 100% Electric. No tailpipe emissions, and for that matter, no tailpipe. The Nissan LEAF has arrived as a true innovation for the planet. And the planet is glad it’s here. www.lafontainenissan.com

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