Rolf Oetter and Silke Sommerfeld left Vancouver on Saturday in their Tesla Model X on their way east across Canada to Newfoundland. They expect their 6,000 mile journey to take about 3 months. Their dog Kyle is going along for the ride. The Model X is towing a travel trailer specially modified by Rolf to gather electricity from solar panels.
They have been thinking about a cross Canada tour for ten years. “We originally thought we would do it in a motor home, but then we switched to a model X, an electric car,” said Silke. “All of a sudden, driving a motor home across Canada with all the gas involved didn’t feel right anymore. So we thought of alternatives.” They say the purpose of their trip is to prove electric vehicle travel is possible over long distances. “It’s a good way to combine something that we always wanted to do, with something that we want to do now,” she added.
Part of the reason for the trip is to help raise awareness on sustainable energy and transportation. “It’s not so much about one particular brand, it’s about electric cars in general,” she says. “I’m looking forward to going places I’ve never been before, I’m curious what all of that will be like. I think meeting people will be very, very interesting. I just love Canada.”
Rolf Oetter, a German engineer, modified the trailer for the trek. “This trailer is designed to be never plugged in because we need the plug for the car. I installed 800 watts of solar panels and just over five kilowatt hours of lithium ion batteries similar to the ones that are actually in the car,” Oetter said. He says he can get 30 to 40 extra kilometers of range by using the batteries in the trailer to help power the car. .
The couple is not affiliated with or endorsed by Tesla Motors. “This trip is our idea,” says Silke. “All we want is to raise awareness and bring electric cars closer to as many people as possible.” They will blog throughout their trip and will also answer questions through social media. “We have Facebook,Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube accounts. You have a question? Send it our way and we will try our best to answer it,” Sommerfeld says.
The Renault Twizy is now available in Canada. Do we care? Most of us snicker at the thought of low speed electric vehicles. “Glorified golf carts,” we call them. But will they have a place of honor in the green car revolution? The notion of mobility is changing. As more and more people crowd into cities around the world, having a small, light, highly maneuverable, easy to park vehicle available to take us a few miles from home and few miles back is beginning to make more sense.
Let’s face it. Like most vehicles from the land of champagne and brie, the Twizy is, well, quirky seems like the right adjective. It is limited to a top speed of 25 mph. It comes without doors (they are an available option, however). And it looks more like a lunar rover than a car. The province of Ontario, which is where a lot of us are going to go when Donald Trump becomes president, has recently announced a major program of electric car incentives.
That EV friendly environment has convinced Canadian company Azra, which specializes in the installation of electric charging infrastructure, to start selling the Renault Twizy to its customers. The Canadian government recently approved the Twizy for sale in Canada as a low speed vehicle. In the US, such cars are known as neighborhood electric vehicles and are allowed on certain public roads where their limited top speed will not interfere with other traffic.
According to Green Car Reports, the company will provide more details on how it will sell the Twizy, along with pricing and other specifications, at an event to be held in Montreal on April 15. Azra will stream the introduction live on its website that day. Maya Vautier, Renault’s press officer for EVs and environment says, “Renault wanted to find an innovative way & partner to sell [the Twizy] in Canada.” She calls the Twizy “a particular and different object, between a car and a moped.” That seems an apt description.
The Twizy is part of car sharing services in Yokohama, Japan and San Francisco. It is also Renault’sbest selling electric car in France. Will it be a hit in the northern climes of Ontario? A Tesla Model S P90D it is not, but it might just be the small, fun, and rather adorable electric car that most people really need. We will know soon enough.
2016 Nissan LEAF Sees All-Electric Range Improve To 107 Miles
Nissan has taken the wraps off the 2016 Nissan LEAF, and the company did not disappoint on earlier range expectations as both the SV and SL trims now come equipped with a 30 kWhbattery, giving the LEAF 107 miles (172 km) of EPA rated range, as well as a new 8 year/100,000 mile battery warranty.
The base S trim level still comes with 2015 model year’s 24 kWh battery, good for 84 miles of range.
As for pricing, the base Nissan LEAF remains unchanged at $29,010 (+$850 delivery), while the extra 23 miles found in the SV and SL trims see the prices increase anywhere from $1,600 (SL) to $2,100.
After the federal government’s incentive is factored in, a 107 mile LEAF will set you back at least $26,700 before any dealer or state-level incentives are applied:
* – Nissan LEAF S – $29,010 ($29,010) * – Nissan LEAF SV – $34,200 ($32,100) – now includes standard quick charging * – Nissan LEAF SL – $36,790 ($35,170)
(full spec sheet on the 2016 Nissan LEAF can be found below, all prices +$850 delivery)
A larger battery also means a greater sweet spot for fast charging, hence all the new 30 kWh LEAFs can now be quick-charged to 80% (from the low battery warning) in about 30 minutes, which nets about 22% more miles of range over that of the base S trim.
Ok, We Admit The 250 Kilometer Range (NEDC) Rating In Europe Certainly Looks Cooler
Level 2 charging stays at 6.6 kW and a full charge will set SV and SL LEAFs back about 6 hours, as opposed to 5 hours with the 24 kWh battery.
Internationally: If you happen to reside in Europe, the 2016 Nissan LEAF gets a new 155 mile/250 km rating based on the NEDC system.
Pricing on the longer range Acenta and Tekna trim grades has yet to be announced across all of Europe, but in the UK, the 30 kWh LEAF Acenta starts from £24,490 (OTR with PiCG), and from £26,490 on the 30 kWh Tekna trim level.
2016 Nissan LEAF SV/SL Interior (w/black leather)
2016 Nissan LEAF Interior (beige/cloth)
Additionally, the base LEAF (S trim) now comes with a standard 5″ screen (as opposed to the “no screen” console found in the 2015 model), with the 7″ screen in the SV and SL trims continuing in the new 2016 edition.
Nissan says the infotainment and connectivity features have been enhanced and improved for the 2016 model under the standard “Nissan Connect” banner.
A new graphic interface is now found inside the 2016 LEAF, as well as charging screen data that is updated every time the car is put into use.
The Nissan Connect EV telematics systems allows for all theremote connection functions to the vehicle one would expect, but also touts improved voice recognition, and an improvedmobile app.
2016 Nissan LEAF New Heads-Up Display Menu
“Audio, entertainment and connectivity upgrades start with the addition of standard NissanConnect with Mobile Apps with 5.0-inch color display for LEAF S models. The system includes Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, Streaming audio via Bluetooth®, Hands-free Text Messaging Assistant and USB connection port for iPod® interface and other compatible devices.
2016 LEAF SV and SL grades add standard NissanConnect with Navigation and Mobile Apps–featuring a 7.0-inch color display with multi-touch control, Nissan Voice Recognition for navigation and audio, HD radio, and SiriusXM Travel LinkTM for weather, fuel prices, movie listings, stock info and sports (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately). The menu screen graphics and customization process have been improved and charging screen information is now automatically updated every time the ignition is turned on and with every 12 miles of driving.”
2016 Nissan LEAF
2016 Nissan LEAF New 30 kWh Battery Module
On the 30 kWh battery itself:
“The new battery offers more advantages than just the 27 percent increase in driving range – it also offers improved battery performance,” said Andrew Speaker, director, Nissan EV Sales & Marketing
The 30 kWh battery resides in the same battery space under the LEAF as the existing 24 kWh pack, and weighs just 46 pounds (21 kg)more.
“Improved electrode material with revised chemistry results in higher power density and enhanced battery durability upon charge and discharge.”
Basically, the introduction of Carbon, Nitrogen and Magnesium to the electrodes improves performance of the cells, while Nissan adds the “change to the cell layout also contributes to the gain“, although we aren’t quite sure how.
As evidence of a growing confidence in the 30 kWh battery’s cell chemistry (and the fact it will now take less battery cycles to go further), Nissan warrants battery loss below 9 bars of capacity (70%), for the first 8 years or 100,000 miles (160,000 km) in the US and in Europe. The warranty on the S trim stays consistent with that of the 2015 LEAF, at 5 years or 60,000 miles.
As for the actual pack structure, the original 24 kWh battery is made up of 48 modules composed of 4 cells each, for a total of 192 cells. The new 30 kWh battery has double the cells per module (8), but still 192 cells in total. Nissan once again points to automotive-specific battery formats as a superior commodity.
“Unlike conventional cylindrical batteries, the thin, compact laminated cells offer more flexibility in packaging and design applications.”
New 2016 Nissan LEAF In Forged Bronze Spotted Earlier This Month (via JPWhiteNissanLEAF)
New 2016 Nissan LEAF Color Palette
New Colors:
As expected, three colors have been added to the 2016 LEAF lineup, while two have left the building.
* – New Colors: Forged Bronze, Coulis Red and Deep Blue Pearl * – Deleted Colors: Cayenne Red and Morningsky Blue
Efficiency and Performance:
The entry level LEAF S retains the same 84 miles of range as last year’s model, as well as the 126 MPGe city/108 MPGe highway efficiency rating, which is good for a combined 114 MPGe.
The LEAF SV/SL with 107 miles of range has a slightly lower city rating than the base model – registering 124 MPGe, and an identical 108 MPGe highway score, which lowers the combined rating slightly to 112 MPGe.
All three trim levels feature the same 107 horsepower and 187 lb-ft of torque output as in the previous model year, while the S trim level has an optional “Charge Package” that upgrades the base model to the same 6.6 kW charging (from 3.6 kW) as well as adding the CHAdeMO fast charging port that comes standard in the SV and SL trims.
2016 Nissan LEAF Now Gains 22% More Miles During A 30 Minute Quick-Charging Session
Production and Release date:
The New 2016 Nissan LEAF Takes A Spin In Europe (in Gun Metallic Color)
We also took advantage of a chat with Nissan earlier this week topepper them about when the 2016 Nissan LEAF would be available, but all they would commit to was that the “2016 LEAF will go on sale later this fall“.
So somewhere between September 23nd and December 31st then Nissan?
Our own sources indicate that 2016 Nissan LEAF production actually began in earnest in early August in Smryna, TN, and that we may see some regionally-fortunate deliveries happen late in this month – although mid-October seems to be when the ‘salesball‘ will really get rolling for the 2016 LEAF.
For Europe, the new, longer range Nissan LEAF will still be produced at the company’s Sunderlank, UK facility, but sales begin a little later – in January 2016.
New 2016 Nissan LEAF Batteries (both chemistries) Are Made Next Door To Manufacturing Facility In Smyrna, TN
* – Quick Charge Package (S grade only) – adds Level 2 6.6 kW onboard charging (deletes 3.6 kW charging) and Quick Charge Port (CHAdemo)
* – Premium Package (SV and SL times) – adds Around View® Monitor and Energy Efficient Series Bose® seven- speaker audio.
Special note to Canadians:
The majority of the changes you see here will also be found on your 2016 Nissan LEAF with a couple of exceptions.
Cold Weather And A Strong US Dollar Is Giving Canadians A Great Deal On The 2016 Nissan LEAF
You don’t get the “Forged Bronze” color option – which is ok, it is unlikely to be very popular because, well…it’s brown. You will also be losing the “Glacier White” color option; although isn’t “Pearl White” enough anyway? But, you do finally get the standard 17″ wheels on the SV, like those of us in the US.
As a special 2016 perk, Canadians don’t have to buy the “Quick Charge” package in the base S trim, because it now comes standard with both 6.6 kW L2 charging, and the quick charge port – although you still will be paying the around $32,000 for the base model (but don’t convert that to US dollars Americans, as that’s only a little over $24k)
Only the black interior is available.
As it is significantly colder on average in Canada than the US, all LEAF models come standard equipped with a heated steering wheel and both heated front and rear seats.
Editor’s Note: This is not the next generation of the Nissan LEAF, but rather an upgraded version of the last model year of the first generation car. The all-new, next generation Nissan LEAF (with an estimated 170-200 miles of range) is expected to arrive in Q2 of 2017.
Full 2016 Nissan LEAF specs can be found below:
2016 Nissan LEAF Specs – Page 1 (click to enlarge)
2016 Nissan LEAF Specs – Page 2 (click to enlarge)
2016 Nissan LEAF Specs – Page 3 (click to enlarge)
2016 Nissan LEAF Specs – Page 4 (click to enlarge)
Despite the ongoing economic troubles of Canada (and the falling gas prices), sales of the Chevrolet Volt are continuing to go strong there — based on the recently aggregated sales figures for the US’s northern neighbor during August 2015.
Altogether, there were 167 Chevy Volts sold during August 2015 in Canada — somewhat under the 186 Volts sold during August 2014, but a bit higher than the 150 Volts sold during July 2015 (sector-leading sales for the month in that market).
With the Volt’s supremacy reconfirmed for the month of August, the popular offering from Chevyhas now topped the Canadian electric vehicle (this includes plug-in hybrids/PHEVs) sales rankings for the 29th time (tentatively).
Tesla Model S sales are continuing to remain relatively steady as well — and remain as something of a competitor to the Volt up there, despite the great differences between the two models with regard to pricing and performance (and target market).
Regardless of the relatively steady/strong sales, the Canadian market still remains basically untapped — with the total share of the country’s auto market held by electric vehicles (EV) being only around half of that as in the US (0.3% as compared to 0.6%). Interestingly, though, the Tesla Model’s share of the market is comparable in the two countries — the difference in total EV share apparently lies solely with lower sales of other models.
On that note, 124 Nissan LEAFs were sold in August in Canada, BMW sold 49 EVs/PHEVs, 7 Mitsubishi i-MiEVs were sold, and 1 Cadillac ELR was sold. Sales figures for Toyota and Ford offerings are unavailable, and will remain so unless the companies change their policies.
Presumably Kia sold some Soul EVs, and Mercedes sold some of its offerings as well, as the vehicles continue to be registered. July saw 62 Souls registered, and 50 electric Mercedes.
I track most of the “large” electric car markets and write up monthly sales reports here on EV Obsession, but I don’t track Canada… since it’s quite small. That said, it’s interesting to find out that the Tesla Model S has been the top-selling electric car in Canada every month of 2015 so far.
The finding comes from FleetCarma (via the TMC forum), which created this nifty graph of monthly Tesla Model S, Nissan LEAF, and Chevy Volt:
FleetCarma’s Matthew Stevens puts the story in some useful context, though. He notes that the Chevy Volt is the best-selling electric vehicle in Canada by far (cumulative sales), but its 2015 numbers are surely deflated as people await the 2016 model, which will be much better (40% more electric range, a 5th seat, and a number of other improvements) for $105 less.
And how about this for some perspective on why the “high-priced” Tesla Model S is so popular:
What might surprise some is that plug-ins are becoming a key part of the supercar segment. The reason is simple; if you want to build a really, really fast car you need the instant torque of an electric motor.
While they have limited EV range, at the top of the pack are the McLaren P1 and the Porsche 918 Spyder. In Canada there are currently 8 McLaren P1s and 18 Porsche 918 Spyders registered. With base price tags of US$1,350,000 and US$847,000 these are not for the price conscious. We are fairly sure Dragons Den’s Wekerle’s Spyder is in that list even though it died a fiery death (because gasoline poured onto the exhaust – nothing to do with the electric/battery side).
In the summer of 2009, America’s official Cash for Clunkers program got underway, with the hopes of propping up a floundering auto industry and getting old, polluting cars off the road. The Canadian province of British Columbia (BC) has launched it’s own Cash-For-Clunkers program, but with the $3,250 rebates only good towards the purchase of a plug-in car, reports Autos.ca.
British Columbia actually ended up a test case for what happens when local governments remove incentives for buying plug-in cars. The results made it clear that incentives for plug-in car drivers really do make a difference, which encouraged BC to develop a new Scrap-It program targeting cars age 15 years or older. Drivers who turn in their old cars to be recycled will receive a $3,250 rebate towards the purchase of an electric car or Chevy Volt/Cadillac ELR, but interestingly enough, no other plug–in hybrid or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Considering Vancouver recently scrapped about $90 million worth of hydrogen buses, it seems like maybe Canada has gotten its fill of fuel cells.
The $3,000 rebate (plus $250 from car dealers) is more than the book value of many pre-200 vehicles. That’s not the only incentive BC has to offer plug-in car buyers though, as the provincial government is expected to re-introduce an up-to $5,000 rebate for the purchase of a plug-in car, though it’s unclear whether the $2,500 rebate for plug-in hybrids will also make a comeback. For those willing to go pure electric though, the rebates could add up to more than $8,000 off the MSRP of an electric car, though other parts of the land of hockey and maple syrup can get up to $11,000 in incentives.
That’s Canadian dollars, I should note, and the $8,000 BC incentive works out to about $6,400 in America. U.S. citizens benefit from a $7,500 tax rebate, plus state incentives like Georgia’s $5,000 rebate that can reduce the price of some EVs like the Mitsubishi i-MiEV by more than half. Considering what a difference rebates make to plug-in car sales though, and that this program can take some real inefficient cars off the road, this program is a win-win for environmentalists.
A fully-charged Tesla Model S can get from Detroit to Toronto if the driver doesn't have a lead foot. A more important US-Canada city tour would be from Detroit to Windsor, Ontario, which is only a two-mile journey through the Detroit Windsor Tunnel. This is key, because Tesla is thinking some Michigan folks will make that trip to check out the all-electric Model S, perhaps rattling some political cages as well.
The California automaker recently drummed up some Detroit/Windsor-area exposure by holding Model S test rides in Windsor, according to CBC News. While the act itself isn't that brazen, it's a not-so-subtle dig at the state that the Big Three US automakers call home and which recently joined the ranks of states that take a hardline approach against Tesla legally selling its vehicles directly to customers. Michigan joined states like Texas, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia and Arizona requiring the automaker to work through third-party dealerships. Michigan Governor Rick Snyder said that House Bill 5606, "doesn't change current law at all," but if Canada all of a sudden gets a lot of positive attention for being more open and Tesla's online sales rise, perhaps some minds will change.
Posts
