There's no doubt that the economic recession changed plans of most automakers and Nissan is only the living proof. It may seem like the Japanese automaker will launch electric models in the United States two years sooner than initially planned, citing the market demand as the reason. Nissan repeatedly said it would launch electric cars for the consumer retail market in 2012, while commercial users and fleet buyers were expected to get them in 2010.
However, the company may after all launch all models in 2010, Mark Perry, director of product planning and strategy for the automaker in Franklin, Tenn., said, emphasizing that both consumers and the US market are ready for this kind of cars.
"We're keeping ourselves open to the possibility that if a market is ready for it, we'll go ahead earlier," Perry says. "If the demand is already there, there's no need for us to wait until 2012."
Most of Nissan's electric vehicles will incorporate lithium-ion batteries provided by Japan-based NEC and will gradually reach the United States. Perry said Nissan will expand its coverage across the country after every single state creates the infrastructure needed to support electric cars.
Nissan yesterday announced a zero-emission partnership with San Diego Gas & Electric to help the city get ready for electric vehicles.
“Nissan through the Renault-Nissan Alliance has committed to being a global leader in zero-emission vehicles,” said Dominique Thormann, senior vice president, administration and finance, Nissan North America. “Nissan and SDG&E have a shared belief that the introduction and expansion of electric vehicles is one of the best solutions to reducing CO2 emissions. This partnership is an important step in making zero emissions a reality in San Diego.”
However, the company may after all launch all models in 2010, Mark Perry, director of product planning and strategy for the automaker in Franklin, Tenn., said, emphasizing that both consumers and the US market are ready for this kind of cars.
"We're keeping ourselves open to the possibility that if a market is ready for it, we'll go ahead earlier," Perry says. "If the demand is already there, there's no need for us to wait until 2012."
Most of Nissan's electric vehicles will incorporate lithium-ion batteries provided by Japan-based NEC and will gradually reach the United States. Perry said Nissan will expand its coverage across the country after every single state creates the infrastructure needed to support electric cars.
Nissan yesterday announced a zero-emission partnership with San Diego Gas & Electric to help the city get ready for electric vehicles.
“Nissan through the Renault-Nissan Alliance has committed to being a global leader in zero-emission vehicles,” said Dominique Thormann, senior vice president, administration and finance, Nissan North America. “Nissan and SDG&E have a shared belief that the introduction and expansion of electric vehicles is one of the best solutions to reducing CO2 emissions. This partnership is an important step in making zero emissions a reality in San Diego.”