Dublin - April 12, 2010
INTRO:
- Minister Ryan, Mr. Mc Manus, Mr. O' Toole, Ladies & Gentlemen, it is an honor for me to be here in Dublin today to sign this agreement on behalf of Nissan
- My name is Pierre Loing and I am Vice President of product planning for Nissan International and also Head of the Nissan's Zero Emission usiness unit in Europe
- As Philippe Klein mentioned, Renault and Nissan are delighted to be back in Ireland, 1 year after the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding, for today's agreement.
- I am here to tell you more about the three specific electric vehicles that the Renault/Nissan Alliance will be supplying to Ireland under today's agreement. Three very unique cars, which, we believe, will redefine the driving, experience for Irish consumers.
THE PRODUCTS
- The first Alliance electric vehicle you will see on Irish roads will be the Nissan LEAF. It will be coming to Ireland in the very early part of next year.
- The Nissan Leaf will go on sale in Japan and the United States from the end of 2010. Selected markets in Europe will immediately follow, among them Ireland, the UK and Portugal.
- When it goes on sale, the Nissan Leaf will actually be the world's first affordable all-electric car for the global motoring market.
- For those of you who are not yet familiar with Leaf, it is a 4.45m long hatchback (between a Nissan Qashqai and a Renault Fluence), built on a dedicated platform specifically developed for electric vehicles.
- It seats five passengers comfortably and offers similar roominess and boot space as a traditional hatchback. Its practicality and performance compare with any of its conventional C-segment rivals.
- The AC electric motor provides 80kW, capable of a top speed of around 150km/h, matching current performance standards and more than adequate for any European driving requirements.
- The huge 280Nm torque (50% higher than a comparable petrol C-segment hatchback) is constant from start. Thanks to the characteristic torque curve (which in fact is linear), the sensation of acceleration is impressive and constant. The biggest difference with a conventional car: it does NOT have an exhaust pipe!
- The first electric Renault to land on Irish shores will be the Kangoo Z.E. This light commercial electric vehicle will be launched in Ireland later in 2011. The battery will be located under the floor and will not affect the loading capacity.
- Kangoo ZE will offer a great opportunity to carry goods ecologically, whilst enjoying a very competitive cost of ownership.
- One year later, in 2012, Renault will launch the Fluence ZE, an elegant electric sedan. The Renault Fluence ZE will attract families looking for a spacious, comfortable and statutory vehicle as well as fleet operators because of its lower running costs.
- Fluence Z.E. is powered by a synchronous electric motor with peak power of 70kW and maximum torque of 226Nm. Acceleration is responsive and linear, with maximum torque available very early on.
- Batteries will be mounted behind the rear seatbacks in order to free up minimum boot space of 300 liter. An energy recovery system will be used to recharge the battery when decelerating.
- At the end of next year, before the commercial launch, Renault will hold a pilot project in Ireland with 100 electric Fluence ZE, giving Irish consumers a first feel for the new electric car driving experience.
BATTERIES & CHARGING
- All three Alliance electric vehicles - Nissan Leaf, Renault Kangoo ZE and Renault Fluence ZE - will be fitted with the latest generation of lithium-ion batteries produced by AESC, a joint venture between Nissan and the Japanese conglomerate NEC.
- This new generation laminated Lithium-Ion battery provides 1 & ½ times the power and capacity of a conventional Li-Ion battery. It is made of 48 modules divided in 4 cells. It delivers 24kWh and retains at least 80% of its capacity after 5 years.
- AESC is already producing batteries in Japan and plans have been announced to localize production in Europe from 2012.
- The batteries will give all these cars a range of about 100 miles / 160km. We believe it will be able to satisfy the daily demands of most Irish consumers. Ireland has a distinct advantage for this pilot program because the range of electric vehicles is sufficient to cover Ireland's territory, making it a priority market for the development of electric mobility.
- On top of those very favorable conditions, the extensive charging network that our partner ESB is rolling out across the country, will contribute to reduce any potential concerns that motorists could have about the range. As ESB has announced, it will roll out a total of 3500 normal and quick charge stations by the end of 2011.
- Standard charging stations will allow motorists to charge their cars in about eight hours (at home or during a day at work). At quick charging stations they will be able to charge up to 80% of their battery capacity in less than 30 minutes. Typically the time to take a quick lunch, or a short shopping trip ...
PRICING:
- The price of these vehicles will be very affordable, particularly thanks to the 5,000 Euros government's incentive for consumers, which was just announced today. They will also be VRT exempted.
- I cannot be more specific today, the actual prices will be revealed at a later date, closer to launch; but expect them to be in line with that of similar sized vehicles
- It is also important to remember that running costs of the electric vehicle are outstanding compared to petrol or diesel powered cars. We estimate that a 100km journey will cost a mere 1 to 2 Euros, depending on the cost of electricity in each country, which is up to 80% lower than equivalent power sources. There are also less moving parts in electrically powered vehicles so the assumption can be made that maintenance will also be lower.
ENDING
- To conclude, the Renault-Nissan Alliance is now looking forward to being part of Ireland's historic pioneering shift to electric mobility. Renault and Nissan will provide a range of affordable, all-electric vehicles to Ireland, maintaining the same high build quality that customers have come to expect from both brands. Ireland will lead the revolution in new electric car mobility.
- We are delighted to offer you a sneak preview of the Nissan Leaf and the Renault Fluence ZE. After today's press conference, we invite you to take a look at the two cars, which are parked outside. Philippe and I welcome any feedback you might have on any issues regarding the introduction of electric vehicles in Ireland.
- Thank you
Issued by Nissan