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Grenoble Becomes a ‘Smart City’ in October; Launching 100% Electric Car-Sharing Program Connected to Public Transport

June 30, 2014 in Electric Vehicles, EV Mass Transit, EV News, Toyota

  • Urban transport of the future will become a reality in October in the French city of Grenoble thanks to a partnership between the City of Grenoble, Grenoble-Alpes Métropole, EDF Group, Toyota and Citélib
  • 70 Toyota “i-ROAD” and “COMS” ultra-compact electric vehicles will be available in a car-sharing scheme, promoting interconnectivity between public and private electrified personal transport
  • Vehicles can be charged at around 30 charging stations managed by Sodetrel (EDF Group) and located close to public transport stops
  • Called “Citélib by Ha:Mo”, this innovative service is ready for pre-registration by Grenoble commuters on www.citelib.com and will be operational for a three-year real-life test
Toyota i-ROAD with Citélib by Ha:mo logo Image courtesy of Toyota

Toyota i-ROAD with Citélib by Ha:mo logo
Image courtesy of Toyota

In October 2014, 70 Toyota i-ROAD and COMS ultra-compact electric vehicles, and around 30 charging stations developed and managed by EDF’s subsidiary Sodetrel, will be open for service for a period of three years thanks to a unique partnership between the City and the Metropolitan Area of Grenoble, French energy company EDF, Japanese car maker Toyota and Citélib, a local car-sharing operator.

Connected to the public transport system’s IT infrastructure, this new car-sharing scheme will complement Citélib, the current car-sharing service of Grenoble, by allowing users to pick up one of the small EVs at one location and drop it off at another. The project also aims to promote interconnectivity of public transport methods (trams, buses, trains) and a new type of personal mobility using small vehicles that don’t take up as much space as a normal car. The main idea is to allow commuters to drive the first or last kilometres of their journey for increased flexibility and time-saving, thus contributing to reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality in city centres.

Citélib by Ha:mo responds to today’s challenges… and saves you time

Recent social trends and consumer behaviours make it clear that sustainable mobility is here to stay. The only question is how fast this market will develop.

Surveys show that the average daily commute in Europe takes between 40 and 50 minutes. Increasingly, commuters use public transport, but most of them still have to walk a good 15 minutes to reach their final destination. New IT technologies, paired with innovative mobility solutions, are starting to allow the introduction of more flexibility to urban mobility, and will undoubtedly make up the cornerstone of future smart cities.

Just imagine: it’s Monday morning. You leave your apartment on the outskirts of Grenoble at 7:25 to go to work. Half asleep, you take the tram to the city centre―a 20-minute ride. You get off, and wait for the connecting bus for five minutes. Ten minutes later, the bus drops you off five minutes from your office.  It’s 08:05. You’re late, again, for the 8:00 meeting and haven’t even had time for a coffee. Sometimes, for more flexibility, you take your car. You drive to the city but this means you must leave even earlier, at 7:15 – and that’s not a guarantee you’ll arrive on time, with traffic and the time it takes to find a parking spot. Sound familiar?

With Citélib by Ha:mo, say goodbye to stress and delays. During your tram ride, you whip out your smartphone. With an app, you can visualise the available i-ROADs at your usual stop. In a few clicks, you reserve and pay. Another app can also allow you to see the status of traffic and public transport before you leave, so you can plan the best route that day.

Once you get off the tram, all you have to do is flash your phone onto the charging station to release your i-ROAD. In six minutes, you ride to the charging station near your office, two minutes away. It’s 7:53 – plenty of time for a coffee before the 8:00 meeting. You just saved 30% of your commute time. Going somewhere else that morning? No problem. There are around 30 stations in Grenoble, a network tight enough to get you as close as possible to your destination.

Graphic courtesy of Toyota

Graphic courtesy of Toyota

A unique partnership with a common vision of tomorrow’s urban mobility

By bringing together their respective competencies, the project partners are offering Grenoble an innovative service which will allow a real-life, thorough evaluation of the potential of this new form of mobility. “The Grenoble-Alpes Métropole community has always been open to innovation,” explains Christophe Ferrari, President of the Grenoble-Alpes Métropole. “In terms of scale, it’s perfectly suited to this kind of test, and in Grenoble, we have a tradition of daring to do things. The partnership itself, between us, Toyota, EDF and Citélib, a local car-sharing operator, is in and of itself also an innovation in France,” he added. “It’s a great opportunity for our community to test, for three years and exclusively in Europe, a new mode of mobility that’s not only innovative but also economic and ecological It’s an experimentation that is bound to be followed by others for the benefit of our citizens.”

The scale of this integrated and complex project means it’s impossible to realize alone: partnerships and collaboration are key to its success – between the project partners of course, but also with the local communities.

  • EDF is bringing around 30 charging stations to the project, but also more than a half-century of experience in developing electric mobility, both through battery technology and managing charging infrastructures. EDF aims to accompany its public, corporate and private customers in transitioning towards modes of transport that are more sustainable, less noisy and CO2-emission free. “To become the city of tomorrow, Grenoble must be both attractive economically, and a nice place to live. Electric mobility offers a good measure of both, by allowing different types of transport to complement one another. It brings together traditional types of transport with innovative ones such as this type of last-mile mobility brought about with this project,” says Christian Missirian, Director of EDF Commerce Rhone-Alpes Auvergne.
  • Sodetrel, a fully-owned subsidiary of EDF, brings its considerable expertise to the project: this includes management of charging infrastructure for EVs and PHEVs, commercial management of charging services, and car-sharing service management for the public and private sectors.
  • Toyota is providing the 70 ultra-compact electric vehicles used in the project: the Toyota COMS (single-seater, 4 wheels, a small rear storage compartment) and the Toyota i-ROAD (two-seater, 3-wheel with Active Lean technology). The latter introduces a completely new and fun way to drive. Very compact, it combines the exceptional handling of a motorcycle or a scooter with the comfort and stability of a car. 4 i-ROADs occupy the footprint of a single car.
  • Toyota is also developing a data management system that will enable the visualisation and reservation of the vehicles. The system will integrate with Grenoble’s existing transport IT system to offer route planning with different modes of transport from a smartphone. Citélib by Ha:mo is Toyota’s second “Ha:mo” (short for Harmonious Mobility) project and the first outside Japan. “This concept fits within our overall future mobility vision which is based on four pillars: safety, comfort, ease of use and ecology,” commented Michel Gardel, Vice President of Toyota Motor Europe. “Ha:mo was designed to reduce the stress caused by traffic jams, peak traffic hours, and searching for a parking space. It also allows a reduction in emissions that cause poor air quality in city centres,” he added.
  • Citélib was chosen for its track record, with more than 10 years of experience in running car-sharing programs in the region. “On top of our current vehicle range, from two to nine occupants, Citélib by Ha:mo will fill an important gap for short-distance travel and allow our customers to pick up and drop off their vehicles at different locations,” explains Martin Lesage, General Director of Citélib. “We have seen 30% annual growth of car sharing in Grenoble, and our service attracts 50% private and 50% corporate customers. It supports the development of economic activity in various areas of the metropolitan area, and links university campuses and research centres,” he said.

Why Grenoble?

Toyota COMS with Citélib by Ha:mo logo Image courtesy of Toyota

Toyota COMS with Citélib by Ha:mo logo
Image courtesy of Toyota

Grenoble has long been an innovative city. Its famous “Presqu’île” science park is home to prestigious institutions and companies, such as the CEA and ST Microelectronics. Its slogan is: “Where we imagine the city of tomorrow”. Its university has more than 60,000 students on one of the most modern campuses in France. In 1987, Grenoble was the second French city after Nantes to re-introduce electric trams. In 2013, 78 million people used the local public transport network. Today, the fifth line of the tram network is beginning operation. Other ecological modes of transport have also an important place in the city’s transport system, such as 5,000 “Metrovélo” bicycles and more than 320 km of bicycle lanes.

Grenoble citizens can reserve now

Grenoble metro community citizens can already pre-register for Citélib by Ha:mo. If they register as early as this summer, they will receive time credits towards future usage of the service when it becomes operational in October.

This article is a repost, credit: Toyota. Video courtesy of Toyota.

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A serious game to raise children’s awareness of road safety

June 26, 2014 in Electric Vehicles, Environment, EV News, Greentech, Renault

  • “Safety and Mobility for All,” an educational game designed to heighten the awareness of children ages seven to twelve to road safety and sustainable mobility is now available in a digital version.
  • This initiative will help achieve the United Nations’ objective of cutting the number of road fatalities in half by 2020.

The “Safety and mobility for all” program has been expanded this year with a new educational section: a serious game for children ages seven to twelve years. It is designed to be played at home with the family as well as in the classroom or in extracurricular activities as part of educational programs on the themes of road safety and environmental protection.

Léa and Jules, the two characters who participate in the big transport contest organized by their school, have three assignments. They must organize –

–       daily trips, such as those between home and school;

–       occasional trips in small groups, to go the country, for example; and

–       special trips in a larger group, like a class trip at the end of the school year.

Through role-playing exercises, children learn to travel about safely and get an introduction to the driving code (recognizing the shapes and colors of signs, understanding lanes and the direction of traffic, taking into account weather conditions, etc.).

With “Safety and Mobility for All,” players must rely on their capacity for observation, their critical faculties, and their team spirit. They also discover various aspects of sustainable mobility such as the use of soft transport, car-pooling, electric vehicles, renewable energies, and recycling of materials.

Claire Martin, vice president, Corporate Social Responsibility, at Renault, says: “Our expanding population, increasing urbanization and steadily growing automobile fleet contribute to a situation where the number of people injured and killed on the world’s roads continues to be much too high. Seventy percent of the 20 to 50 million annual victims are vulnerable road users, among them many children and teenagers. We therefore believe it is essential to continue our efforts to increase awareness of the risks on the roads. By developing an interactive game inspired by the Safety and Mobility for All program, Renault is counting on new technologies and fun approaches to reach large numbers of young people so they can play an active role in their own safety.”

“Safety and Mobility for All,” developed exclusively for Renault by Terra Project[1], is free and available on http://www.safety-mobility-for-all-the-game.com in English, on http://www.securite-mobilite-pour-tous-le-jeu.com in French, and soon in Spanish, in versions for PC, Mac, touchscreen tablets and smartphones (iOS and Android).

[1] Terra Project

A communications agency and publisher specialized in awareness-raising and educational materials focused on sustainable development, Terra Project has developed unique expertise in the production of films, video games, websites and interactive programs for schools, young children, teenagers and families.

This article is a repost, credit: Renault. Video courtesy of Renault.

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Nissan Plugs Electric LEAF into Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles Program

September 12, 2013 in Electric Vehicles, LEAF, Nissan

Nissan offers additional confidence for pre-owned LEAF buyers
2013 Nissan LEAF Photo courtesy of Nissan

2013 Nissan LEAF
Photo courtesy of Nissan

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – As demand for electric cars continues to grow among U.S. consumers, Nissan is adding the all-electric LEAF to its Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles program. Beginning in September, Certified Pre-Owned Nissan LEAF vehicles will be backed by the company to provide years of quality and performance at a great value.

In addition to the existing 8-year/100,000 mile* battery warranty coverage protecting against defects in materials and workmanship, and 5 year/60,000 mile* coverage for battery capacity loss below 9 bars of capacity as shown by the vehicle’s battery capacity level gauge, Nissan will extend the EV system and powertrain warranty coverage to 7 years or 100,000 miles*.

Erik Gottfried, director of Electric Vehicle Sales and Marketing for Nissan said: “As more Nissan LEAF vehicles enter the used car market, we know it’s important for Nissan to provide the second owners the same confidence in the car that the original owner enjoyed. Adding LEAF to the Nissan Certified Pre-Owned program is a natural next step to strengthen the position of LEAF as the world’s No. 1 all-electric car for the mass market.”

Other benefits offered with Nissan Certified Pre-Owned vehicles include:

  • Comprehensive quality assurance vehicle inspection
  • CARFAX® Vehicle History Report with 90-day CARFAX Buyback Guarantee ®
  • 24-hour emergency roadside assistance
  • A no-cost, three-month subscription to Sirius-XM Satellite Radio
  • Car rental reimbursement
  • Trip interruption coverage

To qualify for the CPO program, a Nissan LEAF must have less than 60,000 miles, be less than 5 years from its original in-service date, have a clear CARFAX vehicle history report and pass a 167- point comprehensive quality inspection. The vehicle must also have a minimum of 9 bars of battery capacity, out of 12 total, as represented on the vehicle battery capacity level gauge.

At the beginning of the program, Nissan will offer special finance rates as low as 0.9 percent for 36 months on certified pre-owned LEAF vehicles through Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp.

About Nissan North America

In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the Americas media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

About Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.,

Japan’s second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 236,000 employees globally, Nissan sold more than 4.9 million vehicles and generated revenue of 9.6 trillion yen (USD 116.16 billion) in fiscal 2012. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of over 60 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. In 2010, Nissan introduced the Nissan LEAF, and ontinues to lead in zero-emission mobility. The LEAF, the first massmarket, pure-electric vehicle launched globally, is now the best-selling EV in history.

For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

*Whichever comes first

This article is a repost, credit: Nissan, http://nissannews.com/en-US/nissan/usa/.

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The New 2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive

September 11, 2013 in Daimler, Electric Vehicles, EV News

 Zero emissions – with a star

2014 B-Class Electric Drive. Photo courtesy of Daimler

2014 B-Class Electric Drive.
Photo courtesy of Daimler

September 10, 2013 – MONTVALE, NJ

The all-new 2014 model year Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive makes its world debut at the New York International Auto Show. The Electric Drive shows off a dynamic design, high-quality interior and a high-torque electric motor for completely emission-free driving. This makes for a lively drive with an estimated range of more than 100 miles (200 km). In addition, the B-Class Electric Drive is digitally networked. Thanks to its connectivity, it can be conveniently checked and configured via the internet. As a true Mercedes it also sets high standards in terms of comfort, quality and safety. The B-Class Electric Drive will have its global launch in the USA in mid-2014 and be the first luxury battery electric car from Mercedes-Benz in the market.

The 2014 B-Class Electric Drive surprises with a particularly dynamic driving experience, delivering decidedly brisk acceleration while gliding along the road in near perfect silence. The driver and passengers in this new electric Mercedes will enjoy the familiar comfort of a well designed, high-quality interior offering generous space. The B-Class Electric Drive offers driving pleasure with zero local emissions – in short, electric driving at the premium level.

Dr. Joachim Schmidt, member of the Mercedes-Benz Cars Board of Management responsible for Sales and Marketing: “The B-Class Electric Drive meets the wishes of many customers for emission-free driving without foregoing the hallmark attributes of a Mercedes-Benz, namely: safety, comfort and, of course, not to forget exhilarating driving pleasure.”

Powerful and lively drive system

The new Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive is based on the conventionally powered B-Class, which has become a bestseller in many countries since its market debut in 2011. As a particularly versatile vehicle concept, the B-Class also allows environmentally friendly driving at the Mercedes level – with its innovative electric drive. In the USA, the vehicle will only be introduced with battery electric drive.

Quiet and locally emission-free drive power is provided by an electric motor with more than 174 hp (130 kW). Typically for an electric drive, the maximum torque of 250 lb.-ft. is available right from the first tap on the accelerator pedal – this roughly corresponds to the torque delivery of a modern gasoline engine with a displacement of 3.0 liters. This results in decidedly powerful acceleration from a standing start. For the standard sprint from 0 to 60 mph (100 km/h), the electric-powered B-Class requires less than eight seconds. This guarantees superior driving performance and highly dynamic, exhilarating driving pleasure in any situation.

The powerful lithium-ion battery is accommodated in the “Energy Space” in the vehicle’s underfloor – both space-saving and safe. Thanks to this intelligent packaging, the five-seater retains the familiar, generous interior and luggage space of the B-Class.

2014 B-Class Electric Drive. Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz

2014 B-Class Electric Drive.
Image courtesy of Mercedes-Benz

Emission-free even over longer distances

The maximum speed is electronically limited to 100 mph (160 km/h) – in the interests of operating range. The range is more than 100 miles (200 kilometers), according to the respective driving cycle. This means that in addition to emission-free urban driving and short-range trips, longer journeys can also be undertaken without any problems, such as the distances covered on a daily basis by commuters. The battery of the B-Class Electric Drive can be recharged at any standard domestic power outlet. In the USA, the charging time for a range of about 60 miles (100 kilometers) is less than 2 hours at 240 V/40 A.

While the car is on the move, the electric drive itself contributes to a favorable energy balance by converting kinetic energy into electric current on the overrun and during braking, and feeds this energy into the battery (recuperation).

Dynamic Mercedes-Benz design

Refined sportiness together with visual appeal – the new B-Class Electric Drive is another example of the self-assured and dynamic Mercedes design, with powerful, tense lines and finely styled details. The front and rear sets the tone for the vehicle’s width, with a wide, prominent front grille, headlamps extending into the vehicle sides, a wide rear window, two-piece tail lamps and a large tailgate with a low loading sill. The side sill panels and striking bumpers with bar-shaped LED daytime running lamps exude dynamic. The charging socket is inconspicuously installed behind the charging flap.

Sporty interior with premium details

The interior underscores the high comfort standards of Mercedes-Benz. Highquality materials and finely structured surfaces, premium details, and precise finishing, emphasize the fact that electric driving is defined at a very high level according to the philosophy of Mercedes-Benz. The three large, round air vents in the center with their distinctively designed cross-form nozzles are sporty features that contribute to the emotional design language of the interior. Above the air vents is the display screen for the telematics system which appears to be free-floating – a modern, eye-catching feature of the cockpit.

When it comes to information and communication systems, the B-Class Electric Drive offers convenience and outstanding functionality that is signature luxury typical of Mercedes-Benz. Standard onboard features include the Audio 20 with a 14.7 cm color screen, a twin tuner, an MP3-capable CD player and a USB connection. Navigation is provided by the Becker® MAP PILOT. The multimedia system COMAND Online with internet access, navigation and voice control is available as an optional extra.

Functions specific to electric vehicles have been added to the instrumentation of the B-Class Electric Drive. A power display in the dial instrument has been added on the right. Its needle rises in a clockwise direction from the green to the red area when power is being consumed, and drops below the zero line when the vehicle is feeding recuperative energy back into the battery.

Full connectivity

Its modern technology ensures that the B-Class Electric Drive is not only sustainable (locally emission-free) and agile (because of its high torque and acceleration), but also fully networked. Remote check-up and remote configuration of the vehicle is conveniently possible via the Vehicle Homepage. The driver can easily access his vehicle through the internet, using a PC or smartphone. In this way, it is possible to check the current charge status of the lithium-ion battery or to verify the vehicle’s current range on a map. The planned route can also be displayed, immediately showing whether and where the vehicle can be recharged along the way. The range of services for connectivity is rounded off with a pre-entry climate control option offering individually timed pre-heating or cooling. This advance air conditioning makes the B-Class Electric Drive the unrivalled benchmark in its segment.

Big on safety

Mercedes-Benz applies its familiar, high safety standards to the B-Class Electric Drive. Thanks to the innovative “Energy Space”, the battery is safely accommodated under the floor for crash protection. In addition, Mercedes-Benz already equips this innovative electric car with the radar-based accident warning system COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST with adaptive Brake Assist as standard. This assistance system gives the driver a visual and acoustic warning of recognized obstacles, prepares him for braking action and Daimler Communications, assists him with the braking process as the situation requires. In this way it significantly reduces the danger of a rear-end collision. Additionally, more modern driver assistance systems are available – among them Blind Spot Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Active Park Assist.

Electric driving made by Mercedes-Benz

Locally emission-free electric vehicles such as the new B-Class Electric Drive are a major part of the Mercedes-Benz strategy for sustainable mobility. The Stuttgart-based premium manufacturer is reasserting its claim to leadership in this sector with electric cars which are fully suitable for everyday use. These include the B-Class F-CELL, and the SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive (TBD for USA). The smart fortwo electric drive which launched last year in Europe received a positive response from customers. Since the middle of last year, much more than 1,000 vehicles have been produced and delivered. The all-new smart fortwo electric drive is available in U.S. stores since May 2013. The new B-Class Electric Drive will be available in the USA starting in 2014 and then the European launch will follow.

Preliminary Technical Data

Output more than 174 hp (130 kW)
Torque 250 lb.-ft.
Range 100+ miles [US City], 200 km [NEFZ]
Charging time for a range of     60 miles [US City] (100 km [NEDC]) USA: 2 hours 40 A/240 V     (ECE: 1.5 hours 400V)
Acceleration 0-60 mph 7.9 s
Top speed 100 mph (160 km/h),     electronically limited

Quick Reference Guide: 2014 B-Class Electric Drive:

Customer Availability:

  • B-Class Electric Drive – mid-2014

Performance:

  • 2014 B-Class Electric Drive     (174 hp/130 kW, 250 lb.-ft., 100+ mile range [city])

Standard Feature Highlights:

  • 28 kWh lithium-ion battery
  • Charging time range for 60 miles: 2 hours
  • 0-60 in less than 7.9 seconds
  • COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST w/   Adaptive Brake Assist
  • Audio 20 with 5.8’’ color screen
  • MP3-capable CD player and USB connection
  • Becker MAP PILOT
  • LED daytime running lamp

Optional Feature Highlights:

  • COMAND Online with internet access, navigation and voice control
  • Blind Spot Assist
  • Lane Keeping Assist
  • Active Parking Assist

This article is a repost, credit: Mercedes-Benz: http://media.mbusa.com/.

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Nissan LEAF Owners Drive CO2-Free to Save Forests in Japan

September 4, 2013 in Electric Vehicles, EV Campaigns, EV News, LEAF, Nissan

  • 100% electric Nissan LEAF owners convert kilometers driven into CO2 offset credits, with　proceeds used as funds to conserve forested areas equivalent to 60 tennis courts
Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn Photo courtesy of Nissan

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn
Photo courtesy of Nissan

IRVINE, Calif. — Drive your Nissan LEAF electric vehicle, help save a forest. Participants in Nissan’s Zero Emissions Fund have succeeded in conserving forested areas about the same size as 60 tennis courts since the inception of the fund in June 2012. These electric vehicle (EV) owners have served an ace for the environment simply by enrolling in the fund and driving their 100% electric Nissan LEAFs — a car that emits no tailpipe gases, and thus no emission of CO2 or other greenhouse gases that impact on the environment.

The Nissan Zero Emission Fund is a platform which enables the distance that Nissan LEAF owners drive to be calculated and converted into CO2 emissions offset credits based on the average CO2 emitted by a gasoline-powered vehicle. The total annual CO2 emissions that are avoided by driving a Nissan LEAF are converted into credits and sold to the Green Investment Promotion Organization, an organization that promotes investment in low carbon emissions initiatives. Profits earned by the sale of the credits are being used for installation of EV battery quick charging units and conservation of forests located near reservoirs supplying water to residents of major metropolitan areas.

Nissan LEAF Photo courtesy of Nissan

Nissan LEAF
Photo courtesy of Nissan

Each participating Nissan LEAF’s total annual distance traveled is automatically recorded by the NISSAN CARWINGS Data Center through its continuous on-board communication unit. Based on the total distance traveled, the amount of offset CO2 emissions is calculated according to the standard designated by Japan’s Domestic CDM.

To make this happen, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. has submitted its application for the Nissan Zero Emission Fund’s CO2 credits for fiscal year 2012. The application was approved at the 32nd Meeting of the Domestic Credit Certification Committee that is jointly run by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; the Ministry of the Environment; and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan.

The fund earned 2,565,000 yen in profits from the sale of CO2 offset credits approved for fiscal year 2012, and the sum is dedicated to the cost of conserving 160 square meters of forests — roughly the same size as 60 tennis courts as well as fund operation.

To help realize a sustainable zero-emission society, Nissan will continue the Nissan Zero Emission Fund from this year onward through the J-Credit scheme, a successor to Domestic CDM. Nissan, working with Nissan LEAF owners, will continue to its efforts to reduce CO2 emissions and promote the wider adoption of EVs and help realize sustainable mobility.

Nissan Zero Emission Fund achievements in fiscal year 2012 are as follows:

  • Period eligible for credits: From June 11, 2012 to March 31, 2013
  • Number of eligible fund participants: 4,578 LEAFs
  • Driving distance counted: 23,878,226 km
  • Amount of certified credits: 1,710 tons
  • Profits earned by the sale of credits: 2,565,000 yen
  • Usage of profits earned:- Conservation of the approx. 16,000 square meters (the size of 60 tennis courts*) of forest selected from the area in Tabayama-mura, Kosuge-mura or Doushi-mura in Yamanashi prefecture, Japan *Calculated based on the size of a tennis court of approx. 260 square meters (23.77 m x 10.97 m) – Operational costs for the Zero Emission Fund

For more information about the Nissan Zero Emission Fund, please go to: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2012/_STORY/120611-01-e.html To learn about Nissan’s zero emission initiatives, please see: http://www.nissan-zeroemission.com/EN/LEAF/

About Nissan North America

In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the Americas media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

About Nissan

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan’s second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 236,000 employees globally, Nissan sold more than 4.9 million vehicles and generated revenue of 9.6 trillion yen (USD 116.16 billion) in fiscal 2012. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of over 60 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. In 2010, Nissan introduced the Nissan LEAF, and continues to lead in zero-emission mobility. The LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle launched globally, is now the best-selling EV in history.

For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

This article is a repost, credit: Nissan, http://nissannews.com/en-US/nissan/usa/.

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Nissan to Accelerate EV Utilization Program at Roadside Stations in Japan

September 2, 2013 in Battery Energy Storage, Electric Vehicles, EV News, LEAF, Nissan

  • Nissan plans to provide a Nissan LEAF all-electric EV and LEAF to Home power supply system to roadside rest areas in all 47 prefectures of Japan.
  • Donations will be used to provide power after natural disasters and enhance the daily lives of local residents.
Photo courtesy of Nissan

Photo courtesy of Nissan

IRVINE, Calif. — Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. plans to donate 47 Nissan LEAF all-electric zero-emission EVs and “LEAF to Home” power supply systems to roadside rest area stations in all of Japan’s 47 prefectures. The plan will begin in September 2013. One Nissan LEAF*, paired with a LEAF-to-Home power system, will be donated by Nissan to at least one roadside rest area (called michi-no-eki in Japanese) to each prefecture in the country.

Electric vehicles can serve as portable sources of electrical power both in day-to-day living and during emergencies, such as power blackouts following earthquakes or hurricanes. The Nissan LEAF, paired with the “LEAF to Home” power supply system, can be used as back-up power source in emergency situations if there are power outages and/or shortages by providing the stored electricity held in the Nissan LEAF’s onboard batteries. In normal situations, the LEAF to Home power supply system helps stabilize the electrical grid and balance energy needs by charging an EV with electricity generated during the night, when demand is low, or sourced from solar panels and supplying it to homes during daytime when demand is high.

The michi-no-eki network in Japan has three functions: a rest area for travelers, an information source for local residents and road users, and a cooperative community function in which towns reach out to each other to work together to build vibrant communities centered on activities held at the michi-no-eki stations. As the stations are public facilities often located alongside important arterial roads, in recent years they serve as bases of operations during natural disasters.

The lithium-ion batteries of Nissan LEAF can store 24kWh of electricity. With the “LEAF to Home” power supply system complemented by a Nissan LEAF, power can be supplied from a Nissan LEAF to some parts of a michi-no-eki’s facilities in case of power outages caused by disasters. It is expected that these michi-no-eki road stations will function as evacuation centers for local residents or a base for restoration support activities in the event of a natural disaster.

The donated Nissan LEAFs can be used as vehicles to transport the elderly and expecting mothers who find it difficult to purchase food and daily commodities at the roadside stations’ stores.

The Nissan LEAF is the best-selling electric vehicle in the world, with 75,000 LEAFs sold to date. As a leader in zero-emission mobility, Nissan is continuing to develop electric vehicles while engaging in comprehensive efforts to expand the use of electric vehicles and promote sustainable mobility.

To learn about Nissan’s zero emission initiatives, please see: http://www.nissan-zeroemission.com/EN/LEAF/

*The Nissan LEAFs to be donated for this project have previously been used for test drives at Nissan dealers.

About Nissan

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan’s second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 236,000 employees globally, Nissan sold more than 4.9 million vehicles and generated revenue of 9.6 trillion yen (USD 116.16 billion) in fiscal 2012. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of over 60 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. In 2010, Nissan introduced the Nissan LEAF, and continues to lead in zero-emission mobility. The LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle launched globally, is now the best-selling EV in history.

For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

This article is a repost, credit: Nissan, http://nissannews.com/en-US/nissan/usa.

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by EV News

Nissan LEAF to the Rescue in Europe

September 2, 2013 in Electric Vehicles, EV News, LEAF, Nissan

Law enforcement and emergency response teams turn to the world’s best-selling electric vehicle to save the environment and cash
Photo courtesy of Nissan

Photo courtesy of Nissan

ROLLE, Switzerland – Law enforcement teams, firefighters and medics across Europe are adopting Nissan LEAF – the world’s most popular electric vehicle – as a key frontline emergency support vehicle.

Emergency services in Portugal, France, UK and Switzerland have deployed LEAFs as community support vehicles, with a number of other countries considering making the switch to battery power in 2013.

Photo courtesy of Nissan

Photo courtesy of Nissan

Jean-Pierre Diernaz, Director of Electric Vehicles, Europe said: “Emergency first responders and law enforcement communities rely heavily on their vehicles. The fact that so many forces across Europe are choosing Nissan LEAF for urban-based community support roles shows how significant zero emissions and low running costs – fuel and maintenance – have become. As well as helping to save the environment, vastly reduced fuel bills mean a fleet of Nissan LEAFs can make a serious contribution to a bottom line, making budget savings that can be reinvested in supporting the communities in which they serve.”

Fittingly, French community nurse Sylvie Lailler in June purchased the milestone 10,000th Nissan LEAF to arrive in Europe since sales began in March 2011. She uses her LEAF to make daily house visits to elderly patients near the north west of Paris.

The multi-award winning LEAF has been chosen by the various first responders for differing reasons, but they all cite the car’s zero emissions credentials as the most important motivation for the switch from conventional gasoline and diesel cars.

The first force in the world to go electric was Portugal’s PSP (Polícia de Segurança Pública), which has been running eight Nissan LEAFs as part of its Safe School Program for the last year. Fitted with blue flashing lights, sirens and clear “Polícia” markings they can also perform other police duties at any time.

Superintendent Paul Gomes Valente, National Director of PSP, said: “We pride ourselves in being the first police force in the world to incorporate cars with zero-emission technology as part of our 5,000 vehicle fleet. We want to continue contributing to the reduction in pollution in large urban centers and the introduction of the 100 percent electric Nissan LEAF sets a new benchmark for our fleet.”

In the UK, West Midlands Police have placed an order for 30 Nissan LEAFs for use by its officers to visit victims of crime and attend other pre-arranged meetings as “diary cars.” Averaging around 70 kms a day – well within a full charge range – these LEAFs allow the force to free-up its vehicle fleet for other vital crime-fighting duties.

Bob Jones, Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands Police said: “The LEAFs fit in perfectly with our operational requirements and will significantly cut our fuel costs while also reducing our carbon footprint.”

The Police Municipal in the Swiss town of Meyrin, 10km north of Geneva, has also adopted the zero emissions car, which forms part of force’s daily patrol fleet in the local community.  The LEAF was purchased from the local Nissan dealer, which continues to support the police force by providing full access to their charging facilities. Monsieur Pierre-Alain Tschudi, explains: “The commune of Meyrin recently set a goal, as part of its political agenda, to reduce its carbon footprint. In support of this initiative we decided to incorporate electric vehicles into our patrol fleet, thus not only reducing our CO2 emissions, but equally our noise pollution. Their presence has created a discussion point in and around the community, raising awareness of the importance of zero emissions.”

In Scotland, the Scottish Police Services Authority (SPSA) has taken delivery of two Nissan LEAFs for community work. As well as environmental gains, the force is keen to save money. The move not only saves SPSA money but also supports ambitious plans set out by the Scottish Government to become carbon neutral by 2050.

Meanwhile, to accommodate its new fleet of Nissan LEAFs, the UK’s County Durham Fire and Rescue Service has ensured its new headquarters currently under construction at Belmont, Country Durham, is EV friendly. Three charging points are planned as the service looks to further expand its environmental commitment by adding more electric vehicles to its fleet.

About Nissan North America

In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the Americas media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

About Nissan

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan’s second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 236,000 employees globally, Nissan sold more than 4.9 million vehicles and generated revenue of 9.6 trillion yen (USD 116.16 billion) in fiscal 2012. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of over 60 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. In 2010, Nissan introduced the Nissan LEAF, and continues to lead in zero-emission mobility. The LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle launched globally, is now the best-selling EV in history.

For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

This article is a repost, credit: Nissan, http://nissannews.com/en-US/nissan/usa/.

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