Nissan to Partner With San Diego Gas and Electric

The Renault-Nissan Alliance, through Nissan, and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), the utility company operating in the San Diego, Calif., region, are forming a partnership to promote the development of an electric vehicle (EV) charging network.

Mule with new Nissan EV system. The production version will have a unique bodystyle. Click to enlarge.

Nissan plans to introduce ZEVs in the United States in 2010 and will mass market ZEVs globally two years later. The announcement coincides with the first stop on a coast-to-coast tour of Nissan’s EV Prototype, a vehicle that’s powered by Nissan’s lithium-ion battery pack and zero-emission electric motor. While this vehicle does not represent the design of Nissan’s electric vehicle that will be sold in 2010, the EV Prototype is an indicator of what’s to come in zero-emission mobility.

AESC module (inset) and pack for the EV prototype. Click to enlarge.

The latest generation electric vehicle prototype features a front-wheel drive layout and uses a newly developed 80 kW motor and inverter. The advanced laminated compact lithium-ion batteries are installed under the floor, preserving cabin and cargo space. (Earlier post.)

As part of the agreement, Nissan will assist SDG&E in EV acquisition as well as work with SDG&E to develop plans to promote a charging infrastructure for EVs. Together, Nissan and SDG&E will form a working team with area agencies, institutions and companies to work towards the implementation and maintenance of a battery charging network and establish and support education activities designed to promote the use of EVs.

Lori Holt Pfieler, Mayor, City of Escondido and Chair, San Diego Association of Governments; Stephen Cushman, Chairman of the Board of the Port of San Diego; and SDG&E CEO Debra Reed joined Nissan representatives in announcing the partnership at a ceremony at the Port of San Diego.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance has begun ZEV initiatives in Israel, Denmark, Portugal, the Principality of Monaco, Kanagawa Prefecture and Yokohama city (Japan), and has formed partnerships with the French electric utility company EDF, the Swiss electric utility company Energie Ouest Suisse, the private-car hire service “greentomatocars” (UK) and with zero-emission transport system company “elektromotive” (UK). In the United States, the Alliance has agreed to ZEV partnerships in the State of Tennessee, the State of Oregon, Sonoma County, Calif., and Tucson, Ariz., to explore ways to promote zero-emission mobility and the development of an electric-vehicle infrastructure.

San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is a regulated public utility that provides energy service to 3.4 million consumers through 1.4 million electric meters and more than 840,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The utility’s area spans 4,100 square miles. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy, a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego.

Source : Green Car Congress