NISSAN TO BRING EV TO SEATTLE IN 2010

Nissan plans to start selling electric car in Seattle next year
Aubrey Cohen, April 28, 2009 (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

"Seattle will be one of the first cities where Nissan sells a new electric car, and the city will help make the vehicles viable here, officials from the city and auto maker said…

"The new plug-in vehicle will be able to exceed highway speed limits, go 100 miles on a charge and recharge in four to eight hours using a 220-volt line, similar to those for clothes dryers…It will seat five, be similar in size to Nissan's Versa and Sentra and be affordable to a typical family…"

Prototype Nissan EV due in 2010. (click to enlarge)

"In an agreement between Nissan and the city of Seattle, the automaker says it intends to sell the cars in the Seattle area and work with government and other organizations and companies on a plan to promote the cars and creation of a network of charging facilities.

"Seattle says it intends to help develop the charging network; consider incentives for buying and using the cars, and creating charging stations; consider regulatory changes to support the cars, such as streamlined permitting for installing charging outlets; and consider leasing or buying the cars for its fleet."

It will require these and Seattle will provide them. (click to enlarge)

"Electric cars are part of the electrification of the city's transit system -- along with trackless trolleys, streetcars and light rail -- helping lessen dependence on foreign oil and reduce pollution, Mayor Greg Nickels said…

"Nissan plans to roll out the car in 12 to 15 markets next year…The [chaging] stations will have a standardized outlet that will accommodate other companies' plug-in cars…[Nissan] would not say just what the car would cost or how many the company planned to offer…"