October 25, 2006 The world’s largest Electric Vehicle symposium, the 22nd International Battery, Hybrid and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Symposium & Exposition (EVS22), opened this week in Yokohama, Japan. First EV off the rank was Nissan with a line-up led by the X-TRAIL FCV 2005 (pictured top left). Nissan has a long EV association, having built its first electric car, the Tama EV (bottom right), in 1947 and the world’s first lithium-ion battery powered vehicle, the Prairie Joy Electric Vehicle, in 1996. Two interesting EV concepts on the Nissan stand were the Hypermini (top right – an ultra-small two-seater 100 km/h urban commuter with an aluminium space-frame, neodymium magnetic synchronous traction motor and high-performance lithium-ion batteries with a 115km range) and the Micro UV. The Micro (bottom left) is almost a story in itself, as it was developed by Nissan subsidiary Autech under the sponsorship of NEDO (the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization established by the Japanese government in 1980 to develop new oil-alternative energy technologies) specifically for Japan’s aging population. With the increase numbers of elderly drivers, this ultra-small electric vehicle is fitted with an active interface technology to support drivers with failing motor-ability and response-time that may impair their driving capability.
Nissan will also have an array of other technologies on show in Yokahama as it continues to explore various long-term sustainable technologies including the promotion of electric-powered vehicles, fuel cell vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles that would have a positive impact on future generations. Nissan has been working on non-core electric-powered technologies aimed at expanding the range of electric-powered solutions that can be incorporated into its current vehicle portfolio to benefit customers. One such innovative invention is the rear-wheel drive electric four-wheel drive system - the e.4WD system - that eliminates the need for a propeller shaft and delivers significant improvements with its compact and lightweight design.
Fuel cell vehicle X-Trail FCV 2005
Fitted with a newly-developed 70MPa high-pressure storage cylinder which increases the hydrogen storage capacity by approximately 30% compared to previous 35MPa cylinder, extending the cruising range to over 500km.
Tama Electric Car
Nissan’s first electric car developed in 1947. Maximum speed of 35km/h and capable of a range of 65km when fully charged.
Hypermini
Ultra-small electric two-seater designed specifically for the urban commuter. Lightweight, highly rigid body based on an aluminium “space-frame” fitted with a neodymium magnetic synchronous traction motor and high-performance lithium-ion batteries for improved driving performance. Maximum speed of 100km/h and capable of achieving 115km when fully charged.
Micro UV
Autech Japan developed the Micro UV sponsored by NEDO. With the increase numbers of elderly drivers, this ultra-small electric vehicle is fitted with an active interface technology to support drivers with failing motor-ability and response-time that may impair their driving capability.
Nissan Super Motor
The Nissan Super Motor is unique because it consists of one motor powered by two rotors and has the dual function of motor and generator.
Compact Lithium-ion Batteries
Lightweight compact lithium-ion batteries using unique laminated cells. Power output is improved by 1.5 times while battery volume is reduced by more than half compared with conventional cylindrical lithium-ion batteries.
e.4WD
An electric motor powers the rear-wheels in Nissan’s unique 4WD that does not require a propeller shaft. In addition to high-performance 4WD capabilities, it offers good mileage due to its lightweight, simple construction with minimal engine transmission loss. Unlike the mechanical 4WD, the e.4WD allows for a more spacious interior due to its compact design and the elimination of the propeller shaft.