Nissan to Unveil Three EVs

You all know by now Japanese manufacturer Nissan is perhaps the most active automotive player in the EV vehicles and charging infrastructure development, through their Zero Emission Alliance with Renault. According to the company's CEO, Carlos Ghosn,Nissan will unveil on August 2 no less than three electric models.

"We have a different strategy from other car manufacturers," Ghosn was quoted as saying by Autonews. "We are the only ones investing for mass marketing, which is a risk, yes. But we think it is a bet in the right direction."

The three vehicles to be unveiled in August will enter the market in 2011, in high volumes. The plan is to build them in the United States, Europe and Japan alike. The factories to produce the EV include the one Nissan will build in Smyna, Tennessee and Oppma, in Japan.

The first electric vehicles sourced from Nissan will hit the streets in trial version, to be used by corporate or government partners. The first one will go to the States next year. It will be a hatchback seating five people, similar to the Versa, and will have a range of about 100 miles per charge (160 km). Pricing for the new Nissan EV is yet to be determined.

And this is only the beginning, Ghosn promises "It's a complete new lineup. Big cars, small cars, vans, light commercial vehicles, entry-level cars," he said. "It's a complete new way of looking at our industry."

He also plans to introduce EVs in bulk, as the CEO thinks this is the only proper way to make them "stick": "If you go for EV, you should go for mass market."