Myelifenow ! mentioned by Inside Evs :-)

This morning, I discovered that Inside EVs, one of the best Electric Vehicle blog to me, has mentioned few of my posts and pictures about charging the LEAF at Autolib stations in Paris

Global Nissan LEAF Sales Zip Past 75,000

As you’re reading this, sales of the Nissan LEAF are whizzing past 75,000 units globally.

Nissan has yet to shoot out an official announcement on this milestone achievement, but we know it to be the case that LEAF sales now exceed 75,000.

75,000 and counting, of course.

Nissan seems even more committed today to selling its LEAF to the masses.

As part of Nissan 360 (a month-long showcase of the latest breakthroughs in vehicle technology, sustainability and market expansion), the automaker will “re-emphasize its ambitions in zero-emission vehicles, where it is the global market leader thanks to the LEAF, the best-selling electric vehicle in history,” says Nissan.

How successful is the Nissan LEAF? To date, Nissan has sold more LEAFs than all other pure electric vehicle combined. How’s that for success?


Learn everything about the LEAF on WIKIPEDIA

Source: Inside EVs

Nissan Prices New LEAF S Model At $28,800, Puts Plug-In Competition on Notice

Nissan took a huge leap forward today in pricing the entry level LEAF at $28,800. That is $6,400 cheaper (about 18% less) than the most inexpensive 2012 model on sale today. With the federal incentive applied, you are talking a very enticing $21,300, and as low as $18,800 in California once their state rebate has been discounted.

Truly, being freed of the pressure from importing the car from Japan (and the yen) has meant a much more affordable car for North America.

Both the mid-grade SV and SL also got significantly cheaper at $31,820 and $34,480 respectively. As a refresher, the old SV trim level came in at $35,200, and $37,250 for the SL, a difference of only $2,050.





LEAF S Model ($28,800)
Standard features include a 6-way manual driver’s seat, 4-way manual front passenger’s seat, trip computer (instant and average energy consumption, driving time, outside temperature and autonomy range), Automatic Temperature Control (ATC), center console storage and 3.6 kW onboard charger, a 12-volt power outlet and 16-inch steel wheels with full wheel covers.

LEAF SV Model ($31,820)
The mid-grade trim level adds the Nissan Navigation system we have been used to in the past couple years, (7.0-inch color LCD screen, CARWINGS telematics, 6-speaker audio system), but also adds Pandora® link for iPhone®, 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, 6.6 kW onboard charger, hybrid heater system, cruise control, auto-dimming inside mirror, and “B-mode” regenerative braking.

LEAV SL Model ($34,840)
At the top end of the lineup, added features are a (mostly just for show) photovoltaic solar panel spoiler, fog lights, auto on/off headlights, cargo cover, Quick Charge Port, leather seats, LED headlights and 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.

Nissan also highlights three option packages.

The Quick Charge Package (S grade only – $1,300) includes the 6.6 kW onboard charger, Quick Charge Port and RearView Monitor.
The LED Headlights + Quick Charge Port Package (SV grade only – $1,630) includes LED headlights, auto on/off headlights, fog lights and Quick Charge Port.
The Premium Package (SV and SL grades – $1,050) offers the advanced Around View® Monitor and Bose® 7-speaker audio.

There is also a $850 destination charge, and Nissan is already promoting a $199 lease deal (which includes the destination).

While this price reduction out paces that of the Japanese-spec model that was released publically a couple months ago (12% less), we have been told to likely not expect a besting of the 14% increase in range announced in Japan (228 km vs 200 km) due to US EPA testing methodology.

Apparently, the US Monroney sticker (EPA) for such data as energy usage and range, either has not yet been finalized, or Nissan is not wanting to drop that information at the this time, but will be released soon according to sources.

To see all the technical specs and a model overview, check out the full recap here. More photos of the 2013 LEAF can be found at the gallery here.

Source: Inside EVs

Public And Workplace Charging Growing Rapidly : 90% Of The Time Its Free

A study of 1,419 California plug-in vehicle owners has unearthed some interesting facts about those drivers access to the public infrastructure charging network. In total, 71% of survey participants reported they did have access to at least a workplace or a public charger.

71% Of Respondent Have Access To Public Or Workplace Charging

The breakdown of available access was as follows:

• 39% had access to only public charging
• 12% had access to only workplace charging
• 20% had access to both public and workplace charging
• 29% had no access at all

Of note, the study only took inventory for the availability of L2 charging equipment only and did not account for the availability of standard 110v outlets that are sometimes used for charging electric vehicles. A 110v standard outlet can still be more than useful charging an EV, provided you are parked for an extended periof of time, such as at work.

By This Time Next Year The "Not Free" Portion Of Public Chargers Will Be Much Higher

Additionally, the survey noted that 89% of all workplace charging was a free service. More surprising was that free public L2 charging was reported even higher at 90%

Even though this study only recently wrapped up, that 90% access to free public charging is sure to be on the down swing already.

The largest previously ’”free” public network of chargers, provided by Blink, has now gone to a fee/pay-per-hour system. New charging fees range from $1 to $2 per hour. (details here)

Still, having a PEV charging infrastructure widespread enough to already service 70% of plug-in vehicle drivers is fairly impressive.

Also of interest, 91% of all respondents said they also had a L2 charging unit at home.

Source: InsideEVs