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The zero emission all-electric Nissan Leaf car to be made in Sunderland UK

Today’s news that UK is to become the third global manufacturing location for Nissan electric vehicles is great news for Sunderland in the UK. Nissan’s decision also sees the UK as a leader in the development and commercial production of low and zero emission cars.

The first in a range of Nissan electric vehicles is the Nissan LEAF announced by Nissan as the world’s first affordable, mass produced zero emission car. Production is to begin in early 2013.

Initial annual production capacity in Sunderland will be about 50,000 units. Together with Sunderland battery plant production, this represents more than a 420 million GBP (468.2 million euro) investment in zero emission mobility.

Nissan also said that construction of its advanced lithium-ion battery plant, announced last year, is to begin this April. The Sunderland facility will have a production capacity of 60,000 units a year and will start manufacturing batteries in 2012 for both Nissan and its Alliance partner Renault.

Andy Palmer, senior vice president at Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., and responsible for the company's global EV strategy, said: “The world is at the dawn of a new era in automotive transport. Nissan LEAF, which will go on sale later this year, is a five-seater hatchback that offers the same space, practicality and performance of a similar car in its class – minus the tailpipe emissions."

Production of Nissan LEAF will begin in Oppama, Japan later this year followed by Smyrna, Tennessee, USA in 2012. Sunderland will come on-line in early 2013 with an initial annual production capacity of about 50,000 units.

The three production sites will support the sales launch of the model, which begins in late 2010 in Japan, the United States and selected European markets, ahead of global mass marketing from 2012.

Nissan and its Alliance partner Renault are the only automakers committed to mass marketing pure electric vehicles on a global scale and together have announced production capacity of 500,000 units per year.

Last December, Nissan and Regional Development Agency One North East signed a definitive agreement on zero emission mobility. The agreement includes the development of a regional network of charging points, supply of Nissan LEAF to the region from early 2011 and a range of incentives for early adopters of EVs, such as a period of free charging and use of dedicated EV lanes.

Although zero-emission vehicles are the centerpiece of Nissan’s product strategy, the company is also investing in a portfolio of low-emission technologies (called PureDrive) such as clean diesels, efficient internal-combustion engines and hybrids.

The speed of success of the electric car in UK will very much depend on the building of a supporting infrastructure of charging points, and the sweeping away of the vestiges of consumer resistance to EVs and their perceived shortcomings compared to conventional engined cars.

NISSAN LEAF at a glance:

- World’s first affordable, mass produced zero emission car

- Five-seater C-segment hatchback

- Powered by an 80kW electric motor

- Charges to 80% of capacity in under 30 minutes (rapid charging)

- Real-world range: 160 km (100 miles - US-LA 4 mode)

- Top speed of more than 140 km/h (90 mph)

- Produced on all-new dedicated EV platform

- Try the Green-Car-Guide for more information of Leaf and electric cars

Fiat Group post Europe's lowest CO2 car emissions

Fiat's achievements with such iconic cars as the Fiat 500, a retro car with today's attitude for helping reduce the motor industry's carbon footprint, have been reported here down the years.

So it is no surprise to have the following report from Fiat.

Fiat Automobiles report a CO2 average of just 127.8 g/km, compared with 133.7 g/km in 2009’s results. This puts it ahead of Toyota(130.1 g/km), Peugeot (133.6 g/km), Renault (137.5 g/km), Citroen (137.9 g/km), Ford (140.0 g/km), Opel/Vauxhall (148.9 g/km), Volkswagen (150.4 g/km), Audi (160.9 g/km) and Mercedes (176.4 g/km).

Fiat has again set new standards in cutting carbon dioxide emissions, after both the Fiat brand and Fiat Group posted Europe’s lowest volume weighted CO2 emissions, according to JATO, the world leader in automotive advisory and research services.

Fiat also ranked first among the motor groups (131.0 g/km), ahead of Toyota, PSA, Renault and Hyundai.

The statistics show the average emissions figure for every vehicle Fiat sold in Europe in 2009, and also means that Fiat has beaten the European average target of 130 g/km five years ahead of its 2015 implementation.

This eco-friendly achievement is the result of a long-term Fiat strategy based on a two-pronged approach: implementing technological solutions aimed at containing consumption and emissions, and raising the awareness of motorists to spur a more responsible, eco-compatible use of their cars.

Unique engines, such as the new 900cc, 95 g/km Twin-Air two-cylinder and second-generation 1.3 MultiJet engines delivering power of up to 95hp, are part of that strategy. Raising awareness is the second part of the policy – implemented by Fiat’s eco:Drive the in-car software which analyses driver behaviour and suggests ways to improve it.

“These are important figures as they show not just the environmental impact of one or two of our cars, but the whole range,” says Andrew Humberstone, managing director, Fiat Group Automobiles UK and Ireland. "That means that every vehicle we sell is making its own contribution to emissions cutting and is playing its part in making Europe a cleaner place in which to live.”

Nissan and Hertz Both Taking a Leaf to reduce carbon emissions

The Nissan Leaf is claimed by its manufacturer to be the world's first affordable zero emission car. The medium-size hatchback is specifically designed for a lithium-ion chassis and is said to provide an eco-mobility in line with rising consumer demand across Europe.It seats five , has a tested range of about 100 miles, or 160km and will go on sale in the US ,Japan,and Europe later this year. There will be a further boost for the car, following an agreement with Hertz,when the Leaf will be available for hire in Europe in 2011. Hertz Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mark P Frossora, says that the commitment to green-car rentals is one his company to extend on a global scale.

You can read more about the plans for the Nissan Leaf here

“The partnership with Nissan seals Hertz’s commitment to green-car rentals and firmly demonstrates our mission to advancing zero-emission mobility on a global scale,” said Mark P. Frissora, Hertz Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “With unique solutions like the Hertz Green Collection already available to our customers, we believe in continuously providing innovative mobility solutions to sustain the growing demand for eco-travel,” he added.

Electric,hybrid and hydrogen cars to attract Government's new 'plug-in grant' for motorists

From January 2011, a grant will be available at the point of purchase on cars delivered directly from dealership or manufacturer which meet the technical requirements of the Government scheme and for which approval of state aid from the European Commission is given. In short, the cost of eligible electric,plug-in hybrid and hydrogen cars will be reduced by 25% up to a maximum of £5,000. The grant will apply to both private and business consumers. The benefit will be given on purchase, there and then, with no requirement to make a claim.

Details of the cars eligible for the scheme will be published by the government in due course, and on manufacturers' websites. Eligibility will depend on an expert panel ruling that certain performance criteria have been met.

The scheme has largely been welcomed by the motor industry. For more details of the announcement: Department for Transport

also the Green-Car-Guide.com

Tesla in Town! Exciting new electric sports car in the UK! No carbon emissions.

In December of 2006, I reported on 'the ultimate green dream car.' That car was the Tesla Roadster, and I have carried at the top of this page an image of a Tesla Roadster, and a link to Tesla Motors. At that time of writing the concept of motoring in such style and speed in anything other than a high-powered, high-end priced, conventional engined motor car was still considered by most as an eccentric whim, an impossible dream. The widespread belief was that electric cars of this nature, produced commercially in volume were never likely to be made. In any case who would want them?

Well, many people, prospective owners of the Roadster, took a leap of faith and put deposits down for one and prepared to wait. The Roadster was initially produced for the US market which it hit in 2007. It is truly satisfying to see a true green car which was once a mere concept car, and risked being a project failure meeting expectations.

This month the first right-hand-drive Roadster was delivered for the highways of the UK.

Tesla claim the benefits from buying a Roadster are significant. That car costs about 1.5 pence per mile compared to 32 pence per mile for the conventional petrol-powered sports cars. Add to this the forthcoming tax savings to encourage the purchase of low emission cars- petrol engined sports cars carry a 'show-room' tax of £950- and the waiving of the London Congestion Charge for alternative fuel vehicles and the Roadster owner's costs are considerably reduced .

It takes less than 10 seconds to plug-in the Tesla each evening. As the electric car market grows the infrastructure will be put in place to make it easier for recharging when away from home. Oh, and the car maker says that the owner will never need to pay for oil changes.

Worth a look. But it will set you back the best part of £90,000. Innovation and Style still does not come cheap. The exciting thing is that the technology works and should help drive the developments being carried-out by carmakers to produce volume production cars to meet all our pockets. Technology research company, Pike Research, predicts a 17-fold market increase in electric cars on our roads in the next five years.

Tesla Motors

Citroen claims new Anti Retro movement with the DS3

The DS3 has been launched with a massive advertising campaign under the slogan -"Never Look Back." Said to be a new Anti retro movement, always looking forward not back. But the best of its time is never to be sniffed at, in my view. The best of today always tends to build on the best from yesterday. So it is with the DS3, I believe.

With a body shape resonant of an evolved early mini , the DS3 is a stylish usurper.

Its green credentials are certainly of today, though. Sporting bang up to date hi-tech kit,USB connections and Hi-Fi with Bluetooth , the 1.6 HDi version is rated at a mere 99g/km of CO2 emissions. On top of this you can choose from 38 combinations of body and roof colour- now that's not quite psychedelic, but colourful looking forward.

For more information on the Citroen DS3 you can go to www.citroen.co.uk