November 26, 2012

Nissan Teams with Coca-Cola Central Japan to Test e-NV200 100% Electric Commercial Vehicle Ahead of Market Launch

·       Nissan and Coca-Cola Central Japan Co. will partner to test the 100% electric

·       e-NV200 commercial vehicle starting in mid-November

·       Coca-Cola will give feedback on e-NV200's prowess in meeting commercial demands

·       Test results will help finesse the future commercial version

YOKOHAMA, Japan (November 12, 2012) - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. is providing Coca-Cola with the e-NV200, a commercial vehicle that's 100% electric, for field testing starting in mid-November.

Coca-Cola's regional organization, Coca-Cola Central Japan Co., Ltd., will use Nissan's multipurpose commercial van as regional sales vehicle in Yokohama, evaluating its performance and practical usability against conventional internal-combustion engine vehicles. The van will be recharged only at night when electricity consumption is low. The test will determine if the nightly charge is sufficient to meet user needs during the day. Overall, Nissan is looking for feedback as to e-NV200's suitability for commercial use.

Coca-Cola Central Japan Test e-NV200

Nissan has already road tested the e-NV200 this year with several other major companies, including AEON Retail Co., Ltd., FedEx Express and British Gas in Japan and Europe. Nissan is using the feedback from the field testing to refine and enhance the final development of e-NV200, scheduled to launch by fiscal year 2014. The commercial vehicle will be Nissan's second mass-produced 100% EV. It follows Nissan LEAF, the world's first globally produced EV for the consumer market.

Providing a large, multi-functional interior space to both business and private users, the e-NV200 commercial EV will deliver innovation in the commercial vehicle market and further Nissan's leadership in the EV market. Combining the advanced powertrain of the Nissan LEAF with the innovative and practical NV200 base vehicle will not only deliver zero CO2 emissions, but also superior acceleration and quietness. In addition, e-NV200 has class-leading levels of operating costs, one of the most critical factors for businesses using commercial vehicles.

GM Plans 500,000 Vehicles with Electrification by 2017

General Motors will have up to 500,000 vehicles on the road with some form of electrification by 2017 with a focus on plug-in technology, the company’s top product development executive said Wednesday.

“The plug-in offers a unique opportunity to change the way people commute,” Mary Barra, senior vice president of Global Product Development told media attending the GM Electrification Experience in San Francisco. “Plug-based solutions will play a significant role in our technology portfolio going forward.”

The plug-in Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle, introduced in 2010, has become more than a statement for GM in the electric vehicle space, Barra said by satellite from Detroit.

“What started out as a technology proof point… has turned into a real-world starting point to push EV technology further and faster than we thought possible five years ago,” she said. “The unique propulsion technology pioneered in the Volt – the same technology that will be featured in the Cadillac ELR – will be a core piece of our electrification strategy going forward.”

Learning from the Volt is being liberally applied to the Chevrolet Spark EV, which will go on sale next year in the certain U.S. markets and South Korea with other markets to be announced soon.

“We’ll meet requirements set by certain regulatory agencies, but we’re not building the Spark EV to check a regulatory box,” Barra said.

GM is on track to sell more than 50,000 vehicles this year with electrification – between the Volt and eAssist light electrification technology on the Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Malibu. The 2014 Chevrolet Impala also will offer an eAssist model when he debuts next year.

“Our commitment to eAssist is unwavering,” Barra said. “In fact, our future portfolio calls for eAssist to be on hundreds of thousands of GM vehicles annually by 2017.”

Links

Electricity from the marshes PhysOrg (Robert M)

Seeing the light: Ed Boyden’s tools for brain hackers Wired

B.C. First Nation members evict pipeline surveyors, set up road block Globe and Mail

Shale Gas Bubble About to Burst: Art Berman, Bill Powers Steve Horn

China’s ‘Go West’ boom offers bonanza for British banks Telegraph

Holocaust Survivors Criticize Israeli Policy Towards Palestinians

Report: White House considering corporate donors for inauguration The Hill. So if you didn’t buy his good will during the campaign, it’s not too late.

Will President Obama Restore the Rule of Law During His Second Term? Truthout

Attention Americans: the Revolution has begun. You must choose a side. Fabius Maximum

U.S. Headed For Fiscal Cliff Onion.

20,000 Sacrificed In Annual Blood Offering To Corporate America Onion

Marginal Rates and Economic Growth: They Go Up Together Angry Bear

Surprise! Report says income inequality still getting worse in most states Daily Kos

Millions will qualify for new options under the health care law. Most have no idea. Washington Post

Federal Judge Announces Wageless Job Opening, Calls Working for Free a ‘Moral Commitment’ Alternet

Why Black Friday Is a Behavioral Economist’s Nightmare New York Magazine.

Shoppers scrutinise Black Friday deals Financial Times. The NYT was more positive on shopper activity.

Local police disperse, arrest Black Friday protesters on behalf of Walmart Dispatches from the Underclass

Failure of the American Conscience: Walmart Reports Record Black Friday Sales Despite 100-City Worker Strike Firedoglake.

The National Mortgage Settlement….REPORT YOUR CONCERNS NOW! Matt Weidner

Economists, Obama administration at odds over role of mortgage debt in recovery Washington Post.

US cash piles built on more than anxiety Financial Times.