Nissan, San Francisco Join Forces on EV Infrastructure

Nissan continues its efforts around the world to create the needed infrastructure that could support the launch of its electric models, this time in San Francisco. The Japanese manufacturer signed a deal with the City of San Francisco by setting up a charging network and thus prepare the launch of the Leaf zero-emission all-electric vehicle in December 2010.

“Nissan is committed to the San Francisco market and is looking forward to working with the city and others in the partnership to make zero emissions a reality throughout the Bay Area,” said Brian Carolin, senior vice president, sales and marketing, Nissan North America. “In one year, Nissan LEAF zero-emission vehicles will be driving on the streets of San Francisco.”

“We are making every effort to have the infrastructure ready when the Nissan LEAF arrives and we are extremely pleased to have Nissan as a collaborative partner in making that happen,” said San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. “This collaboration stems from Nissan’s recognition of the aggressive work we are doing to make the San Francisco Bay Area the nation’s EV capital.”

Nissan signed similar agreements in the US with authorities in the State of Tennessee, the State of Oregon, Sonoma County and San Diego, Calif., Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz., Washington D.C., Seattle; Raleigh, N.C., Houston, Texas, and Vancouver.

The Leaf is a medium-size electric hatchback that is equipped with laminated compact lithium-ion batteries that generates 90 kW, while its electric motors release 80 kW/280 Nm of torque. Nissan plans to launch the car in China by 2011, with production to be handled by Dongfeng Nissan, the company's Chinese joint venture.