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Nissan hasn’t been having the best of luck with its all-electric Leaf. The vehicle hasn’t sold in numbers like the automaker had hoped. Out of the consumers who purchased the Leaf, nearly 18,000 complained of battery capacity loss and poor performance of the vehicle battery packs.

To address the complaints of Leaf owners Nissan has decided to expand warranty coverage for the vehicle battery packs. Nissan has announced that it will be replacing batteries that have lost capacity for Leaf owners. Nissan says that it is the first and only auto manufacturer to provide limited warranty coverage for battery capacity loss on the EVs it produces.

The extended warranty coverage will go into effect this spring and apply to all 2011 and 2012 Leaf vehicles. The coverage will protect against capacity loss and batteries that fall under nine bars of the maximum 12 bars displayed on the Leaf’s battery capacity gauge. The extended warranty covers the batteries if they fall under nine bars before 60,000 miles.

If the capacity loss occurs before the 60,000-mile mark, Nissan will replace or repair the batteries free of cost. Nissan is also said that it is working to improve the accuracy of the battery capacity gauge in the vehicle. Some Leaf owners have found themselves stranded on the side of the road when that gauge showed that the batteries had enough capacity to make a trip.

[via Inautonews]

Nissan expands battery warranty coverage for Leaf EVs is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Although Formula E racing is still very much in its infancy, all the ingredients are quickly coming into place: Rome has just volunteered itself as the first European city to host the electric-only circuit. It’s just the second city to enlist for the league following Rio de Janeiro’s move in August, but it gives the league a truly international reach as well as a fifth of the 10 urban racetracks it needs for the initial 2014 season. Additional cities are expected in the weeks ahead, and should quickly lead to a solidified race itinerary, the FIA says. Having Rome onside won’t get cars to the starting line any sooner, but it may underscore Formula E’s advantages in noise and pollution over gas-powered leagues — when its cars can race around the Colosseum without creating a ruckus, other cities (and spectators) might just follow suit.

Continue reading Rome to bring Formula E to Europe, joins a growing eco-racing scene

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Via: Phys.org

Source: Formula E News

We’ve had ample opportunity to ogle the electrical version of Fiat’s venerable 500 when the Italian firm fortold its US arrival years ago. This week at the LA Auto Show, the car finally made its official debut, so naturally, we had to swing by and check it out. While we’ve got plenty of eye-candy of the diminutive EV in our gallery below, allow us to first regale you with the car’s specs.

Under the hood lies a 111HP motor powered by a 24 kWh battery that generates 147 pound-feet of torque — not exactly the stump-pulling grunt of its new Yankee competition, but still plenty of power for such a small car. Range tops out around 80 miles in general use, while city drivers can expect an extra 20 miles per charge. Speaking of, the car gets all the juice it needs through a 240-volt outlet in just under four hours. Can’t wait to get one? Well, Fiat’s not telling how much the 500e will cost, but we do know it’ll be available in California starting Q2 of 2013, and it’ll come to the rest of North America by the middle of the year.

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News of Siri integration isn’t the only tool in Chevy’s belt today, as it’s also unveiling key details of the 2014 Spark EV. The all-electric subcompact won’t reach dealers until the summer, but it may be worth waiting for given a surprising emphasis on speed. Its 130HP motor puts out 400lb-ft of torque, or enough to reach 60MPH in under 8 seconds — quite a bit of pep for any stock compact car, let alone one with green credentials. Drivers who don’t always mash the throttle will still get a dose of speed through industry-first support for SAE Combo DC Fast Charging, which delivers an 80 percent charge in 20 minutes. The cabin technology parallels developments in the powertrain through its two customizable, 7-inch screens and the expected smartphone tie-ins for MyLink and Siri. Combining the tarted up performance and interior tech makes the Spark EV’s sub-$25,000 price (after EV tax breaks) seem like a better value than usual for lower-cost electric vehicles — and with Chevy’s expanded plans to sell in Oregon, Canada and elsewhere, more of us can actually take the plunge.

Continue reading Chevy details 2014 Spark EV: under $25,000, 0-60 in 8 seconds and a 20-minute fast charge

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So far, Nissan has failed to generate the kind sales hoped for with its electric Leaf automobile. Part of the reason the car has failed to sell is that it’s driving range is too short for many shoppers and the price is too high. Nissan showed off a new version of the Leaf this week at a hotel in Tokyo.

The new version of the Leaf has modifications that were made by Nissan based on feedback from owners of current Leaf EVs. One of the biggest worries Nissan noted from Leaf owners was the fear of running out of electricity and being stranded. The upgraded version has a system that will tell drivers exactly how much battery life is left to help alleviate fears of being stranded.

The new version of the Leaf also has an extended electric driving range. Nissan claims that the new version of the Leaf can travel 142 miles on a fully charged battery. That is an increase from 124 miles on the previous version. However, the caveat for 142 miles on a single charge is that you can’t use the air conditioning.

The longer driving range was made possible thanks to improvements in the vehicle battery system and reductions in vehicle weight. The new version of the Leaf sells for under $31,000 for a base model with no options in Japan once government subsidies are applied. Nissan has sold 43,000 Leaf vehicles globally since it launched in 2010, with half that number sold in Japan. Nissan says it has sold 17,000 Leaf EVs in the US and sells about 1500 monthly.

[via Detroit News]

Nissan adds driving range and drops the price of the Leaf EV is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.