The agreement calls for the creation of a framework to promote the adoption of electric vehicles. In addition, the island is the perfect environment in which Nissan to test the navigation system for EVs to make it capable of more precisely factor in road gradient.
Nissan will also try to find alternative means of using the electricity generated by the EVs. If successful, similar projects will be set up across Japan.
The Kagoshima Prefecture will buy Nissan EVs under the "Support Program for EV Promotion in Yakushima Island." For developers of charging solutions, the city is providing subsidies for installation of such units.
The Nissan Leaf, which will be launched starting this December, has been already introduced through similar partnerships in some 60 countries or cities, places where the Renault-Nissan alliance has set up partnerships to promote EV motoring.
The model is capable of transporting five adults and can run for 100 miles (160 km) on a full charge, thanks to the laminated compact lithium-ion batteries that develop 90 kW. The electric motors produce an additional 80 kW/280 Nm of torque.
Recharging the battery to 80 percent of its capacity can take as little as just 30 minutes thanks to a new charging system developed by Nissan. It will however still take 8 hours to bring the battery to full capacity from a 200V home outlet.
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