Nissan Releases More Specifications Regarding Its Upcoming EV

The Nissan EV Prototype






Nissan is showing us a little more of what we can expect as they unveil their EV prototype when the company opens its new global headquarters in Yokohama on August 2.

Nissan's EV, billed as a medium five-door hatchback with dedicated body styling, will appear first as a prototype. The production car will make its debut at the Tokyo motor show in October.

Initially, production will commence at Nissan's Oppama plant in Japan in winter 2010, but Nissan says other production bases around the world could also get the new EV. This date means they will precede the Chevy Volt in production but it is unclear whether the car will be marketed in the US before the Volt arrives in November 2010.

Now, for more specifics; Nissan will start with a production rate of 50,000 units per year, ramping up the build rate as mass-marketing begins around 2012-13. The EV motor will be produced in Yokohama and the inverter will initially be made at Nissan's Zama plant.

The lithium-ion battery will be provided by Nissan's affiliate AESC in Zama. They claim that compared to a conventional li-lo battery, its unit has higher reliability and performance, with twice the power and energy. This is quite a claim which we hope proves to be true.

Possibly the best part of this all-electric vehicle will be its MSRP of around $27,000. Throw in the Federal US tax rebate of $7,500 and you have a gas free automobile for less than 20 grand.

Where do I sign up?