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New world record set with the Nissan LEAF in the lead

September 22, 2014 in Electric Vehicles, EV enthusiast, EV News, LEAF, Nissan

CUPERTINO, Calif. – California has witnessed the world’s largest ever parade of electric vehicles (EVs), 507 cars in one place … and most were Nissan LEAFs. This new record was set during Plug-in America’s National Drive Electric Week, at a time when EV sales continue to climb for Nissan.

“We are currently at around 61,000 sales in the United States since the launch of LEAF four years ago. It is number one in the market (and) number one in the world. It is a natural fit for an opportunity like this to come out and be at this event and set a Guinness World Record on largest number of electric vehicles in a parade at any given time,” said Toby Perry, director, Nissan EV marketing.

As the exclusive automotive sponsor for National Drive Electric Week this September, Nissan had a message to share: EV sales are rising – and the trend is going to continue.

“The fact that there are more manufacturers coming in now proves that it is a viable alternative out there and that we are doing the right thing. To see Kia coming into the market – now Volkswagen in a couple of months – they will be very mainstream vehicles, and it makes us look even stronger as the leader,” said Perry.

National Drive Electric Week is a nationwide grassroots celebration of electric vehicle technology. The annual event shows the fun, convenience, clean-air benefits and cost-savings of electric vehicles through activities taking place from Hawaii to Vermont.

“So many cities came to us and said ‘we can’t do it on a Saturday or a Sunday,’ and so we made this an entire week for greater flexibility,” said Zan Dubin Scott, communications director, Plug In America.

“I love it. I save so much time and money on not having to go and fill up with gas. And I just charge at Google, where I work, so it is awesome,” said Christiana Bush, EV parade participant, Nissan LEAF owner, on the benefits of driving an electric vehicle.

Plug In America reported that plug-in vehicle sales hit the first quarter-million mark in the U.S. on Sept. 10, as a record number of cities were preparing to celebrate this week’s events.

“We want to get people to drive electric, to try it out and get the electric smile – to see how awesome it is and leave gas behind. Join the future man,” said Nicholas Littlejohn, EV parade participant.

This article is a repost, credit: Nissan.

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Governor Brown Signs Electric Vehicle Legislation

September 22, 2014 in Electric Vehicles, EV News, Politics

Governor Brown Photo courtesy of State of California

Governor Brown
Photo courtesy of State of California

SACRAMENTO – Capping off National Drive Electric Week, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today (9-21-14) signed half a dozen bills to strengthen California’s best-in-the-nation electric vehicle market.

The Governor signed the following bills today:

– AB 1721 by Assemblymember Eric F. Linder (R-Corona): Grants free or reduced-rates in high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes to clean air vehicles.
– AB 2013 by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance): Increases to 70,000 the number of advanced technology partial zero-emission vehicles that may be allowed in high-occupancy vehicle lanes, regardless of occupancy level.
– AB 2090 by Assemblymember Paul Fong (D-San Jose): Repeals the level of service requirements on HOT lanes for the San Diego Association of Governments and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, and directs them to work with the California Department of Transportation to develop appropriate performance measures.
– AB 2565 by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance): Requires commercial and residential property owners to approve installation of an electric vehicle charging station by renters, so long as the station meets requirements.
– SB 1275 by Senator Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles): Creates the Charge Ahead California Initiative, which provides incentives to increase the availability of zero emission vehicles in low-income communities.
– SB 1298 by Senator Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina): Makes the pilot projects for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s operation of HOT lanes on State Highway Routes 10 and 110 permanent.

This action builds on the state’s efforts to help California’s electric vehicle market grow, including legislation Governor Brown signed last year and the executive order he issued in 2012 to establish a target of 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles on the road in California by 2025 and a number of other long-term goals.

California accounts for 40 percent of the nation’s plug-in electric vehicle sales and earlier this month, surpassed 100,000 plug-in electric vehicles sold.

National Drive Electric Week is a nationwide celebration of all-electric and plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles and includes more than a dozen events across California between September 15th and 21st.

This article is a repost (9-21-14), credit: State of California.

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42nd Annual Silicon Valley EV Rally & National Drive Electric Week

September 19, 2014 in Electric Vehicles, EV Campaigns, EV enthusiast, EV News

Held at De Anza College in Cupertino, CA (10 am to 4 pm)

Infographic courtesy of Electric Auto Association of Silicon Valley

Infographic courtesy of Electric Auto Association of Silicon Valley

Features Include

The GUINNESS WORLD RECORD attempt (7 am) at the Largest Number of Electric Vehicles In a Parade:
  1. Presented by SAP
  2. Sign Up

Experience Electric Ride & Drive #TheBetterRide, Presented by the Center for Sustainable Energy

Vehicles available for Test drives:
  1. Cadillac ELR
  2. Fiat 500e
  3. Toyota Rav4 EV
  4. Nissan Leaf
  5. Chevy Spark EV
  6. BMW i3

Green Team & Breath California, First 40-foot All-Electric School Bus

Stella solar car, Presented by Solar Team Eindhoven:
  1. First Energy Positive Vehicle in the World
  2. First Solar-Powered Family Car
  3. 420 mile Electric Range
More than 20 types of Plug-in Electric Cars, including:
  1. BMW i3
  2. Fiat 500e
  3. Mitsubishi i-MieV*
  4. Nissan Leaf & eNV200
  5. Tesla Roadster / Model S*
  6. Chevrolet Volt and Spark EV
Also:
  1. Talk to plug-in vehicle owners to get the real story about the benefits of plug-ins and solar energy from people who use this technology each day
  2. Learn how to “fuel” your car at home, at work and “on the go” with the latest EV charging equipment
  3. Raffle prizes including home charging stations

This article is a repost, credit: Electric Auto Association of Silicon Valley.

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City of White Plains Rolls Out 10 Additional EV Charging Stations in Partnership with NYPA and NYSERDA

September 17, 2014 in Electric Vehicles, EV Campaigns, EV charging, Politics

WHITE PLAINS, NY. Just in time for national Drive Electric Week (September 15-21), Mayor Tom Roach has announced the installation and activation of ten additional electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in public parking garages throughout White Plains. These new installations bring the total number of publicly accessible charging stations in White Plains to twenty, making the City a leader in offering this technology to the public.

In early 2012, White Plains was one of the first municipalities in Westchester County to install electric vehicle charging stations. Those ten stations are geared toward commuters and are located adjacent to the White Plains TransCenter Garage. The ten newly installed EV charging stations are located in the following public parking garages:

  1. Lexington-Grove East Garage (Galleria East) – 100 Main Street – 3 chargers 
  2. Hamilton-Main Garage – 365 Hamilton Avenue – 3 chargers 
  3. Longview-Cromwell Garage – 11 Longview Avenue – 2 chargers 
  4. Lyon Place Garage – 1 Lyon Place – 2 chargers

The new charging stations were supported and installed by the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). They support Charge NY, a statewide initiative launched by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to help bring about greater use of plug-in EVs.

The charging stations lay a foundation for additional investments in clean technologies by the private sector, and reduce climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions. They are part of a series of 100 such installations that NYPA and NYSERDA are partnering on in the coming months that will be located at 37 public and workplace locations. Each is capable of supplying up to 6 kilowatts of power to an electric vehicle. Charge times will vary depending on the size and type of car, but for mid-sized cars (e.g., the Chevrolet Volt, Ford C-MAX Hybrid Energi or Nissan Leaf), charging is expected to take approximately four hours.

To utilize a charging station, customers should download the free ‘EV Connect’ app. This will activate the charging station and allow the customer to monitor the charging process remotely. Once the app has been activated, the customer pays $1.50/hour, which covers both parking and electricity, through the normal payment process at the garage pay stations.  The software also collects and transmits data on frequency of use, length of charges and amount of energy dispensed, to provide NYPA and NYSERDA input for use in locating future charging infrastructure.

Since Charge NY was launched, nearly 500 EV charging stations have been added in New York, bringing the current total number in the state to approximately 1,000. This puts the state well within reach of the Charge NY goal of 3,000 charging stations by 2018.  Nearly 10,000 EVs are operating in the state, compared to 2,500 EVs when Charge NY was launched in 2013.

“White Plains was pleased to partner with NYPA and NYSERDA to bring additional EV charging stations into the City,” said White Plains Mayor Tom Roach. “White Plains has long been a business, shopping and entertainment hub. The installation of these stations in easily accessible locations throughout the city provides yet another reason to choose White Plains. Drivers of electric vehicles now know that they can come to White Plains for business, shopping, and entertainment and be assured they will be able to charge their vehicles at the same time.”

“The Power Authority is proud to help move clean transportation forward in New York with a consumer-oriented approach to vital EV infrastructure. A network of charging stations strategically located across the state will make it possible for electric vehicles to be driven longer distances and support adoption of this clean technology,” said Gil C. Quiniones, President and Chief Executive Officer, NYPA.

“NYSERDA and NYPA are working together to advance Governor Cuomo’s agenda to increase zero-emissions vehicles in New York State and build a state-wide electric vehicle infrastructure and a state-wide electric vehicle industry,” said John B. Rhodes, President and Chief Executive Officer, NYSERDA. “This partnership is one example of how the State is supporting programs to protect the environment, reduce the use of fossil fuels and expand the clean-energy economy in New York State.”

Background on NYPA’s work with EVs: Since 1995, NYPA has played a significant role in developing and expanding electric-drive vehicle use in the state.  The Authority’s efforts have led to the placement of more than 1,300 electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid EVs in the fleets of public entities across the state as well as in its own fleet of vehicles.

Background on NYSERDA’s work with EVs: Since 2012, NYSERDA has been working through public-private partnerships toward the goal of installing 900 charging stations across New York at locations such as municipalities, city streets, supermarkets, hotels and parking garages. NYSERDA offers the New York Electric Truck Voucher Incentive Program, which helps offset the extra cost of investing in electric trucks for fleet use. In addition, NYSERDA supports research and demonstration projects to promote EV investment, and has led an 11-state group to develop EV-station best practices for local governments.

This article is a repost, credit: City of White Plains.

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Nissan celebrates with more than 60,000 U.S. LEAF owners during “National Drive Electric Week”

September 15, 2014 in Electric Vehicles, EV Campaigns, EV enthusiast, EV News, LEAF, Nissan

NASHVILLE, Tennessee – More than 60,000 U.S. consumers have “kicked gas” and are now driving the all-electric Nissan LEAF. To celebrate National Drive Electric Week, held Sept. 15-21, Nissan is the exclusive automotive sponsor for more than 130 grassroots events scheduled for markets across the U.S. and abroad.

National Drive Electric Week, formerly National Plug In Day, started in 2011 as a series of local events aimed at spreading the word about plug-in vehicles. The annual event, which is organized by Plug In America, Sierra Club and the Electric Auto Association, attracted more than 35,000 participants at nearly 100 local gatherings in 2013.

“With more than 60,000 U.S. sales and 50 percent market share among pure EVs this year, Nissan is the natural sponsor of National Drive Electric Week,” said Toby Perry, Nissan’s director of Electric Vehicle Marketing. “At events across the country, drivers of Nissan LEAF and other electric cars will get together to spread the word about the benefits of driving electric – lower operating costs, zero tailpipe emissions and they are just fun to drive.”

Nissan LEAF sales are up 34 percent in 2014, and August was the best month on record with 3,186 vehicles sold. Nissan is finding more buyers in markets across the U.S. such as Washington, D.C., Boston, Salt Lake City and others due in large part to owner advocacy.

“LEAF owners have become our most effective marketers. Their enthusiasm for their LEAF and its benefits drives family, friends and co-workers to consider and purchase one for themselves,” said Perry. “This has a viral effect, where one LEAF sale in a neighborhood or office often triggers several additional sales.”

Among the local events is Huntington Beach, California, where Nissan will showcase the BladeGlider sports concept that features a radical front narrow track layout, where the front is significantly narrower than the rear, creating a swept-wing profile when seen from directly above the vehicle.

In Cupertino, California, Nissan will display the all-electric e-NV200 compact cargo vehicle, which is currently part of a one-year trial program in various cities across the U.S. The e-NV200 is already on sale in European markets.

Infographic courtesy of Nissan

Infographic courtesy of Nissan

About Nissan LEAF
With about 135,000 global sales since launch, Nissan LEAF is the world’s top-selling electric vehicle. LEAF seats up to five passengers and boasts an estimated driving range on a fully-charged battery of 84 miles and MPGe ratings of 126 city, 101 highway and 114 combined.  The effective price of a Nissan LEAF starts at about $23,000 after the available $7,500 federal tax credit, while providing the benefits of lower running costs and less scheduled maintenance. 

LEAF is powered by an advanced lithium-ion battery and an 80kW motor that provides a highly responsive, fun-to-drive experience.

The all-electric Nissan LEAF is offered in three trim levels, and shoppers can choose from a variety of available premium features such as leather seats, 17-inch alloy wheels, 7-speaker BOSE® energy efficient audio system and a 6.6 kW onboard charger that significantly reduces 220V charging times.

About National Drive Electric Week
National Drive Electric Week, founded by Plug In America, is a free coast-to-coast celebration designed to showcase the fun, convenience, clean-air benefits and cost-savings of plug-in vehicles through ride and drives and related activities. Formerly called National Plug In Day, the event launched in 2011 in 29 cities. The fourth annual observance, which has more than quadrupled in size, will take place in over 130 cities in 35 states and abroad, just as plug-in vehicle sales have reached their first quarter-million mark in the U.S. National Drive Electric Week’s national organizers are Plug In America, the Sierra Club and the Electric Auto Association, who team up with local groups from Hawaii to Vermont. For city-by-city details, visit driveelectricweek.org.

This article is a repost, credit: Nissan.