The problem: emissions
Beyond fuel economy, the emergence of plug-in hybrids and EVs has raised the issue of CO2 emissions produced by internal combustion engines. On that subject, Nissan North America’s Director of Product Planning, Mark Perry, made a resounding statement that had many people in attendance applauding: "At Nissan, we believe that the best way to reduce CO2 emissions is to produce none at all!"
He was obviously referring to the upcoming launch of the industry’s first mass-produced "purely electric" vehicle -- the Nissan Leaf, a compact 5-door sedan based on the Nissan Versa.
Mr. Perry claims that the Leaf, aimed at "real-world" drivers, offers a range of 160 kilometres. "In Canada, I think the average commute is about 30 kilometres a day. So with 160 kilometres, you don’t need to charge every day," he said.
Nissan North America announced that pre-orders will be accepted starting next spring in the U.S., with the first units delivered in late 2010. Canadians will have to wait another six months or so, according to Mr. Perry.
From tailpipe to smokestack
He then added: "My favorite angle of the car, of course, is the back because it’s got no tailpipe!"
But what good is it to produce zero-emissions hybrids and EVs if the electricity they use is generated by plants that run on coal, oil or nuclear power?
"It’s a great idea to establish a regulatory framework that ensures emissions reductions are achieved, providing they are achieved across the whole energy chain -- what we call 'from well to wheel'," Toyota’s Stephen Beatty replied. "That’s important because as everyone here knows, replacing the gasoline engine in a car with a coal-fired power plant is not reducing emissions -- it’s just moving them from tailpipe to smokestack."
In this automotive Far West, one thing is for sure: the upcoming decade will be marked by the proliferation of plug-in hybrids and 100-percent electric vehicles, and many among us will experience what it’s like to drive these "futuristic" machines. To paraphrase Marshall McLuhan, who famously compared Canada to a cultural mosaic, the increasingly wide variety of drive systems will soon lead to the creation of a new automotive mosaic!
photo:Universal Pictures, Luc Gagné, Nissan Motor, Ford
Beyond fuel economy, the emergence of plug-in hybrids and EVs has raised the issue of CO2 emissions produced by internal combustion engines. On that subject, Nissan North America’s Director of Product Planning, Mark Perry, made a resounding statement that had many people in attendance applauding: "At Nissan, we believe that the best way to reduce CO2 emissions is to produce none at all!"
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| The Nissan Leaf offers two charging modes. A quick charge to restore 80 percent of the battery’s capacity takes 30 minutes, while a full charge with a 200-volt household outlet takes about 8 hours. |
He was obviously referring to the upcoming launch of the industry’s first mass-produced "purely electric" vehicle -- the Nissan Leaf, a compact 5-door sedan based on the Nissan Versa.
Mr. Perry claims that the Leaf, aimed at "real-world" drivers, offers a range of 160 kilometres. "In Canada, I think the average commute is about 30 kilometres a day. So with 160 kilometres, you don’t need to charge every day," he said.
Nissan North America announced that pre-orders will be accepted starting next spring in the U.S., with the first units delivered in late 2010. Canadians will have to wait another six months or so, according to Mr. Perry.
From tailpipe to smokestack
He then added: "My favorite angle of the car, of course, is the back because it’s got no tailpipe!"
But what good is it to produce zero-emissions hybrids and EVs if the electricity they use is generated by plants that run on coal, oil or nuclear power?
"It’s a great idea to establish a regulatory framework that ensures emissions reductions are achieved, providing they are achieved across the whole energy chain -- what we call 'from well to wheel'," Toyota’s Stephen Beatty replied. "That’s important because as everyone here knows, replacing the gasoline engine in a car with a coal-fired power plant is not reducing emissions -- it’s just moving them from tailpipe to smokestack."
In this automotive Far West, one thing is for sure: the upcoming decade will be marked by the proliferation of plug-in hybrids and 100-percent electric vehicles, and many among us will experience what it’s like to drive these "futuristic" machines. To paraphrase Marshall McLuhan, who famously compared Canada to a cultural mosaic, the increasingly wide variety of drive systems will soon lead to the creation of a new automotive mosaic!
 |
| Last June, Hydro-Québec announced its participation in Ford Motor Company’s North American plug-in hybrid fleet test program. The Escape Plug-in Hybrid will be the feature vehicle. |
photo:Universal Pictures, Luc Gagné, Nissan Motor, Ford