Nissan’s electric vehicle is called the Nissan Leaf, and it will travel up to 100 miles on a single charge. According to Nissan’s website, “The 100-mile range is in standard driving conditions – some highway, some city.” Most certainly for some consumers, a con to electric vehicles is the range (though I believe most folks can commute within 100 miles). To remedy this problem, Nissan says it’s currently working to inspire government and communities to provide the infrastructure necessary to recharge electric vehicles.
Consequently, I wonder if these electric vehicles are versatile enough to have a solar system integrated into the vehicle to further increase the vehicle’s range. I submitted the following question to an expert at Nissan’s website: “Is it possible to integrate some type of solar system to keep energy flowing into the battery?” Someone else had already presented a similar question, and the response was this: “There are a lot of decisions yet to make. At this point, we can’t say if solar might be a future possibility.” This isn’t exactly the technical response I’m hoping to get.
Currently, various private companies can convert the Prius into a PHEV. One company—Solar Electrical Vehicles—installs an additional solar roof that constantly recharges the battery, therefore, extending the PHEV’s range. Solar Electrical Vehicles “was created to develop a true solar charging system for Hybrid Electric Vehicles that provides increased electric driving range and improved fuel economy.”
Although raw materials are certainly needed to construct the vehicle, Nissan is marketing the electric car as a zero emissions vehicle, since it doesn’t necessarily require a fossil fuel source to produce power. In fact, in response to this question—”[S]houldn’t i worry about the power plant used to generate the electricity too”—a Nissan expert notes, “Even in its dirtiest form, the grid is 60% cleaner than gas. And it will get cleaner over time, unlike gas.” Furthermore, unlike a gasoline or diesel engine, electric cars have no messy moving parts. More on this from the Irish Independent:
Electric engines have no moving parts so they don’t need a clutch-operated gearbox. The effect of this is to make you feel utterly calm as the car smoothly moves from 0 to 50kmph in seven seconds. Revving inspires aggression — the linear acceleration on an electric car doesn’t. It’s a world without road rage.
There are other new habits to learn: when I’m not pressing the accelerator, the car naturally slows down (the resistance also helps recharge the car whenever you’re not accelerating) so I don’t really need the brake apart from emergencies. And then there is the aforementioned silent engine.
Some video of the Nissan Leaf
Some images of the Nissan Leaf
Images found here, here, here, here, and here.
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
