Written by Luke Durkin on the 19th February 2010
Japanese motor manufacturer Nissan have teamed up with the world's most popular rental-car company, Hertz, to introduce zero-emission vehicles to Europe and the US by early 2011.
The two companies have apprently agreed upon a 'momorendum of understanding', from which Hertz will develop a pre-release strategic plan to place the Nissan LEAF electric car at selected rental destinations within either market. Claiming to be the world's first zero-emission car, the affordably priced LEAF is powered by a lithium-ion battery-powered chassis, featuring a spacious and comfortable five seat interior - a perfect addition to the family.
Toshiyuki Shiga, Chief Operating Officer of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. commented: “Our partnership with Hertz is an important step towards our goal of promoting widespread acceptance of electric vehicles. Together with our Alliance partner Renault, we aim to be the leader in zero-emission vehicles which we believe are one of the best solutions for sustaining the growing need for transport across the globe.”
Im sure that some of you are pondering thoughts, as to where the idea for the name LEAF came from? Well according to Nissan President and CEO, Carlos Ghosn, "Just as leaves purify the air in nature, so Nissan LEAF purifies mobility by taking emissions out of the driving experience" - quite clever eh?
The credible 100 mile range / charge will be a unique and major selling point for the LEAF, which is expected to become available for purchase towards the latter part of 2010, although there is still not much of an idea as to how much the vehicle will cost on release. One thing for sure, is that the LEAF will qualify for a significant and vast array of tax benefits at both regional and national levels, helping the environment and saving you money.
Friday 19 February 2010
Welcome to Why Convert? Eco Blog
Written by Luke Durkin on the 19th February 2010
As you may already know, I am a student in my 3rd year of a BA Hons Public Relations Degree at the University College Falmouth. As part of my course, I have been designated with the task of developing a portfolio piece of my choice, to be assessed as well as viewed by a future potential employer.
It took me some time to think of something that really interested me, and something that I felt passionate communicating about. It all came to me one day when I was sitting at home, researching new automotive technology and the future of the overall market in terms of its direction. It became apparent to me that much of the 'talk' within the automotive sector was circling around the idea of an eventual shift towards electric car technology. Having worked at companies such as Ford Motor Company and Vauxhall Motors, as well as one of the industries leading fleet publications, Fleet World, I already have a certain degree of knowledge and experience as to how the industry operates.
Improvements in the research and development elements of some motor manufacturers have generated some vehicles with a running capacity of over 100 miles per charge. As such, they will be suitable as an alternative means of transport in particular to daily commuters within some of the United Kingdoms's larger Central Business Disrtrict areas such as London, Birmingham, Bristol and Manchester.
Seating four people within the spacious and comfortable interior, the I-MiEV is both a popular and practical choice for families, with the potential to be used as either a first or second car. Prices for the I-MiEV are expected to be steep at first, but will eventually reduce as a result of market changes, so it might be worth waiting for a year or two if need be? Home charging couldn't be easier...A lead connecting to an average three-pin plug socket will charge your I-MiEV from 0-100% in approximately 6-7 hours - not too shabby if you ask me.
Approximately 25,000 road-side charge points are to be introduced within the city of London on behalf of the Mayor of London, with quick-charge capabilities unlike home-charging methods. Of course, you wouldn't expect services like this to be free of charge - users will be expected to pay a nominal fee depending on their chosen service. Unlike petrol and diesel powered vehicles, EV's will not burn a hole in your pocket, I see it as a long-term investment - Why spend when you can save?
The gradual adoption of greener, alternative methods of producing and storing electricity will ultimately improve the general image and credibility of the Electric Car cause. It is almost certain that a fast intake of EV buyers will put too much strain on the current storing space of the United Kingdom's National Grid. Wind turbines and eventually wave-powered generators have been tipped as being a future successor to traditional fossil fuel powered plants.
As you may already know, I am a student in my 3rd year of a BA Hons Public Relations Degree at the University College Falmouth. As part of my course, I have been designated with the task of developing a portfolio piece of my choice, to be assessed as well as viewed by a future potential employer.
It took me some time to think of something that really interested me, and something that I felt passionate communicating about. It all came to me one day when I was sitting at home, researching new automotive technology and the future of the overall market in terms of its direction. It became apparent to me that much of the 'talk' within the automotive sector was circling around the idea of an eventual shift towards electric car technology. Having worked at companies such as Ford Motor Company and Vauxhall Motors, as well as one of the industries leading fleet publications, Fleet World, I already have a certain degree of knowledge and experience as to how the industry operates.
One of the topics that I am also passionate about is the protection and welfare of our planet and the environment which we all live in. It doesn't take a rocket-scientist to come to terms with the effect that 'we', and I emphasise the term 'we' are having on our planet. We are all directly responsible in some form or another for the current state that our planet is in. Small changes to our everyday lifestyles as humans, such as reducing household electricity or perhaps travelling less, can make a difference. I believe that it is only a matter of time, until significant changes are made to ensure that greenhouse gas emissions are drastically reduced within our methods of transport - 'Bring forward the Electric Car'!
The Government and motor manufacturers alike are already making way for the next generation of British road-vehicles, having announced plans to invest a tidy £250million of tax-payer money into a customer-incentive purchasing scheme. Customers who switch to EV's will be granted with a £5000 cash sum to put towards a brand new vehicle, and a similar cash allowance scheme will also get the go ahead in the fleet and private vehicle markets. So what would the initial and evident benefits of ditching your high-emission, gas-guzzling piece of metal for a substantially more environmentally-friendly EV be?
First and foremost, nearly all Electric cars, apart from some plug-in Hybrid models, produce 0% emissions in comparison to their petrol or diesel powered counterparts, allowing for a much smoother and more comfortable driving experience on the inside. Although some EV's will differ in terms of the power they produce, smaller vehicles will be generally easier to manoeuvre within tight spaces, in comparison to some of the larger and more bulkier vehicles that are soon to become available to the public. One of the more noticeable features of EV's to British motorists is that all electric-powered vehicles will be tax-exempt by law, making such technology a more cost-effective tool for U.K-based businesses and company car fleets.
Powering up your EV will eventually become as frequent and routine a task, as putting your mobile-phone on charge at night before your busy working schedule takes place the following day. Each model, depending on price and specification, will account for different vehicle mileages. Low-budget vehicles will generally posess a mileage range of approximately 40-60 miles per charge, although vehicles on the higher end of the price spectrum could exceed an impressive 100 miles on a fully charged battery.
I believe that vehicles will sell in response to customer factors such as vehicle purpose, finances, and lifestyle type. One of the many misconceptions that people have with regards to EV's is that the vehicle range is perhaps too limited, and that each will hit the market looking like some sort of ugly, mutated 'bug'. This is really not the case, and there will at some point, be a vehicle that might be more successful in meeting our desired aesthetic expectations.
I believe that vehicles will sell in response to customer factors such as vehicle purpose, finances, and lifestyle type. One of the many misconceptions that people have with regards to EV's is that the vehicle range is perhaps too limited, and that each will hit the market looking like some sort of ugly, mutated 'bug'. This is really not the case, and there will at some point, be a vehicle that might be more successful in meeting our desired aesthetic expectations.
Improvements in the research and development elements of some motor manufacturers have generated some vehicles with a running capacity of over 100 miles per charge. As such, they will be suitable as an alternative means of transport in particular to daily commuters within some of the United Kingdoms's larger Central Business Disrtrict areas such as London, Birmingham, Bristol and Manchester.
One of the first and most cost effective Electric vehicles, soon to hit the UK market, is the sleek and stylish Mitsubishi i-MiEV. With an overall speed of 80mph and a total mileage lifespan of 100 miles / charge, the i-MiEV is an 'eco pioneer, and what, I feel will become an environmental trend-setter to a somewhat sceptical niche audience of potential eco-motorists.
Seating four people within the spacious and comfortable interior, the I-MiEV is both a popular and practical choice for families, with the potential to be used as either a first or second car. Prices for the I-MiEV are expected to be steep at first, but will eventually reduce as a result of market changes, so it might be worth waiting for a year or two if need be? Home charging couldn't be easier...A lead connecting to an average three-pin plug socket will charge your I-MiEV from 0-100% in approximately 6-7 hours - not too shabby if you ask me. Approximately 25,000 road-side charge points are to be introduced within the city of London on behalf of the Mayor of London, with quick-charge capabilities unlike home-charging methods. Of course, you wouldn't expect services like this to be free of charge - users will be expected to pay a nominal fee depending on their chosen service. Unlike petrol and diesel powered vehicles, EV's will not burn a hole in your pocket, I see it as a long-term investment - Why spend when you can save?
The gradual adoption of greener, alternative methods of producing and storing electricity will ultimately improve the general image and credibility of the Electric Car cause. It is almost certain that a fast intake of EV buyers will put too much strain on the current storing space of the United Kingdom's National Grid. Wind turbines and eventually wave-powered generators have been tipped as being a future successor to traditional fossil fuel powered plants.
The I-MiEV is only one of many popular models to be bought to market and the chances are that you may find an electric alternative to your current petrol / diesel model that is cheaper to operate and easier to maintain.
Vive la revolution!
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