Nissan preview EV platform on Tiida prototype

NISSAN Motor Co has previewed its dedicated electric vehicle (EV) platform on a Tiida-based prototype this week ahead of the all-new production vehicle’s unveiling at the opening of the Japanese manufacturer’s new global headquarters in Yokohama on August 2.

To feature a unique design and body structure, Nissan’s EV will be sold in limited numbers next year in Japan and the US ahead of mass production in 2012.

The prototype unveiled on Monday had an in-house electric motor that delivers 80kW of power and 280Nm of torque, drawing from a 24kWh laminated compact lithium-ion battery pack under the vehicle floor.

Nissan claims the battery layout does not compromise cabin or cargo space and allows for a smooth underfloor airflow, the latter helping to reduce drag.

It also said the regenerative braking system employed to recharge the battery during deceleration and braking extended the driving range to more than 160km under a full charge.

Body strengthening measures include an additional frame for the battery pack, while the prototype also features an onboard telematics system that can provide information on the available charging stations within the current driving range, and calculate if the vehicle is within range of a pre-set destination.

In a further effort to ensure drivers are not left stranded with a flat battery, the satellite-navigation system can also be programmed to show the driving radius within range of the car’s current state of charge.

Owners can also pre-set battery recharging or air-conditioning on/off times, the latter being useful to cool the cabin to the desired temperature while the vehicle is still plugged in, thereby saving energy out on the road.