Nissan 2013 Annual Report Download - page 18

Nissan LEAF is the world’s first mass-produced 100% electric vehicle and the world’s best-selling EV. Since Nissan LEAF first went on sale in
December 2010, about 70,000 units have been sold globally as of the end of June 2013. Through further improvements in vehicle performance and
cost reductions, as well as efforts to enhance charging infrastructure, Nissan is committed to helping bring about a society where customers can
use EVs with full peace of mind.
Here is the latest information on the company’s activities in the zero-emission field:
1 Updated LEAF
In November 2012 we released a minor model change to Nissan
LEAF that incorporates improvements based on feedback collected
from purchasers since the first Nissan LEAF went on sale in
December 2010.
The vehicle’s driving range on a single full charge has been
extended thanks to a overhauled electric power train, enhanced
regenerative braking system, new energy-efficient heating system,
substantial weight reduction and other improvements.
An affordable S-grade Nissan LEAF has been introduced to help
bring the vehicle to even more customers.
In each market, the company is reviewing vehicle options and
other factors to make Nissan LEAF even more convenient to use.
2 Localized Production of Nissan LEAF Begins
In addition to our Oppama Plant in Japan—where we manufacture the
Nissan LEAF body—and the Automotive Energy Supply Corporation
(AESC) plant in Zama—a joint venture launched by Nissan and NEC
Corporation, where Nissan LEAF batteries are made—we have now
started Nissan LEAF body and battery production in the United
States and United Kingdom.
United States
In January 2013, Nissan ramped up LEAF assembly at our U.S.
manufacturing plant in Smyrna, Tennessee. Prior to this, in December
2012, our Smyrna automotive battery plant began making batteries
for Nissan LEAF. When fully tooled, this plant has the capacity to
produce battery modules for up to 200,000 vehicles a year to match
market demand.
EV TOPICS
Europe
In March 2013, Nissan LEAF production began at our U.K.
manufacturing plant in Sunderland. The vehicles manufactured there
all contain lithium-ion batteries manufactured at Nissan’s U.K. battery
plant, which commenced operation in Sunderland in 2012.
3 A New Organization to Promote
Charging Infrastructure
In April 2013 we set up a new organization to promote charging
infrastructure in Japan, the United States and Europe. To build range
confidence we have been cooperating with relevant companies, local
authorities and national governments to propose the installation of
charging points in appropriate locations and to share information on
how to install charging stations inexpensively. Nissan is engaging in
various efforts with a wide range of partners to accelerate the
installation of charging infrastructure.
4 Promoting New Advantages to Electric Vehicles
Combining Nissan LEAF with our power control system makes it
possible to use the vehicle’s 24 kWh high-capacity battery as a
storage device to supply power to a home. It is even possible to
charge the vehicle’s battery at night, when electricity usage is low, and
draw power from it during the day, thereby reducing peak demand on
the grid. The EV is also a potential backup electricity supply in
emergencies, and can be run on electricity generated from renewable
sources, such as solar power.
About 1,500“LEAF to Home” systems have already been sold in
Japan as of the end of June2013. The system won the Ministry of
Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Minister’s Prize in the Grand
Prize for Excellence in Energy Efficiency and Conservation program.
As the industry leader in zero-emission mobility, Nissan is committed to the penetration of electric vehicles (EVs) in
the market.
Nissan LEAF
Sunderland automotive battery plant
LEAF to Home
Smyrna automotive battery plant
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NISSAN MOTOR COMPANY ANNUAL REPORT 2013
PERFORMANCE
NISSAN POWER 88
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
CONTENTS
MANAGEMENT MESSAGES
CORPORATE FACE TIME
NISSAN POWER 88