For LEAF owners who never qualify for gas stations’ “Free Car Wash with Purchase” offers, this technical study might be the perfect solution –
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – What do you get when you combine the world’s best-selling zero emission vehicle with innovative paint technology that repels mud, rain and everyday dirt? Answer: a very special Nissan LEAF electric vehicle that might just be the “world’s cleanest car.”
Created to demonstrate its potential use in future production vehicles, this Nissan LEAF’s exterior was treated with a specially engineered superhydrophobic and oleophobic paint that is designed to repel water and oils.
The “self-cleaning” paint, called Ultra-Ever Dry®, creates a protective layer of air between the paint and environment, effectively stopping standing water and road spray from creating dirty marks on the LEAF’s surface. Nissan is one of the first carmakers to apply this technology to a vehicle.
The coating, which is being marketed and sold by UltraTech International Inc., has been undergoing testing by engineers at Nissan Technical Center Europe. So far it has responded well to common-use cases including rain, spray, frost, sleet and standing water.
While there are currently no plans for the technology to be applied to Nissan vehicles as standard equipment, Nissan will continue to consider the coating technology as a future aftermarket option. For the North American demonstration, the paint is featured on a white Nissan LEAF.
“The 100 percent electric LEAF provides the perfect canvas for this new, advanced paint technology,” said Pierre Loing, vice president, Product Planning, Nissan North America, Inc. “This is one LEAF that never has to stop at gas stations – not even for a car wash.”
“No matter what the road throws at this LEAF, its Ultra-Ever Dry® exterior coating will throw right back,” said UltraTech International Inc. Chief Executive Officer Mark Shaw. Shaw presented the benefits of superhydrophobic technology and how it creates an “umbrella of air” on a surface at a TED Conference last year.
For 2015, the zero-emissions Nissan LEAF is available in three trim levels: LEAF S, SV and SL, along with option packages offering advanced systems such as Around View® Monitor and seven-speaker Bose® energy-efficient audio and Hands-Free Text Messaging Assistant*. The EPA estimated driving range for LEAF on a fully charged battery is rated at 84 miles and MPGe ratings are 126 City, 101 Highway and 114 Combined.** Nissan LEAF can be charged up to 80 percent of its full capacity in 30 minutes when equipped with a quick charge port and using a fast charger. Charging at home through a 240V charging dock is estimated to take less than five hours with the 6.6 kW onboard charger (less than eight hours with the S grade’s standard 3.6 kW onboard charger). However, charging times may vary.
* Compatible smartphone required. Standard text rates and/or data usage may apply.
**Based on EPA formula of 33.7 kW/hour equal to one gallon of gasoline energy, EPA rated the LEAF® equivalent to 126 MPG measured as gasoline fuel efficiency in city driving, and 101 MPG in highway driving. Actual mileage may vary with driving conditions — use for comparison only. Charging times and range estimates may vary depending on driving/charging habits, weather, temperature and battery age. The 6.6kW onboard charger is a standard feature on SV and SL trims. It is an optional feature on the S trim. 240-V home charging dock is sold separately.
NISSAN LAUNCHES “NO CHARGE TO CHARGE” PROGRAM; PLANS HUNDREDS MORE U.S. EV QUICK CHARGERS FOR LEAF DRIVERS
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The economics are simple: Buy an all-electric Nissan LEAF, and you save money by avoiding the gas pump. With Nissan’s “No Charge to Charge” promotion, new LEAF buyers in certain markets get an even better deal with two years of free public charging.
New Nissan LEAF drivers are now enjoying free charging at eligible public stations, thanks to the new “No Charge to Charge” program, which is now live in 10 markets across the United States. With free access to charging at more than 2,600 public stations available in the initial program markets, including more than 200 quick chargers, LEAF drivers are also experiencing the “range confidence” that public charging can provide.
The value of “No Charge to Charge” will continue to grow, with Nissan’s plans to support the installation of an additional 500 quick chargers at Nissan dealerships and at business and municipal partners in key LEAF markets across the U.S. These quick charging stations can charge a Nissan LEAF battery to 80 percent capacity in about 30 minutes.
“Free charging is a great way for Nissan and our charging partners to make LEAF an unbeatable value for the average American driver,” said Brendan Jones, director, Nissan Electric Vehicle Sales and Infrastructure. “The popularity of ‘No Charge to Charge’ since our April announcement shows that public charging spurs range confidence and additional LEAF sales.”
“No Charge to Charge” takes advantage of the new EZ-ChargeSM card, a first-of-its-kind card that offers Nissan LEAF owners access to five leading EV charging networks with a single card. New owners will receive an EZ-Charge card that will provide access to chargers with ChargePoint, Blink, CarCharging, AeroVironment and NRG eVgo.
“No Charge to Charge” has now launched in 10 of the top markets for Nissan LEAF sales, including San Francisco, Sacramento, San Diego, Seattle, Portland, Oregon., Nashville, Phoenix, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Houston and Washington, D.C. In the next year, Nissan plans to offer the “No Charge to Charge” program and EZ-Charge card at LEAF dealers in at least 15 additional U.S. markets.
Participants can locate eligible chargers in the “No Charge to Charge” program online at EZ-Charge.com or PlugShare.com, or by downloading the PlugShare app for iOS or Android. (Note: Not all chargers accessible with the EZ-Charge card are included in the “No Charge to Charge” program.)
About Nissan LEAF
With more than 120,000 global sales since launch, Nissan LEAF is the world’s top-selling electric vehicle. LEAF seats up to five passengers and boasts an estimated driving range on a fully-charged battery of 84 miles and MPGe ratings of 126 city, 101 highway and 114 combined. With a starting price of less than $30,000, LEAF is competitively priced with similar gas-powered cars after applicable tax credits, while providing the benefits of lower running costs and less scheduled maintenance.
LEAF is powered by an advanced lithium-ion battery and an 80kW motor that provides a highly responsive, fun-to-drive experience.
The all-electric Nissan LEAF is offered in three trim levels, and shoppers can choose from a variety of available premium features such as leather seats, 17-inch alloy wheels, 7-speaker BOSE® energy efficient audio system and a 6.6 kW onboard charger that significantly reduces 220V charging times.
About the EZ-Charge partners:
Blink
Blink Network is a CarCharging Company and one of the leading EV charging networks. We offer Level 2 and DCFC charging solutions for single-family homes, multifamily, and commercial properties. Our publicly accessible Level 2 and DC Fast Chargers are strategically located where drivers need them the most—multifamily residential, workplaces, retail outlets, restaurants, and parking facilities. To locate stations or learn more about the Blink Network, please visit http://www.BlinkNetwork.com.
CarCharging
Car Charging Group, Inc. (OTCQB: CCGI) is a pioneer in nationwide public electric vehicle (EV) charging services, enabling EV drivers to easily recharge at locations throughout the United States. Headquartered in Miami Beach, FL with offices in San Jose, CA; New York, NY; and Phoenix, AZ; CarCharging’s business model is designed to accelerate the adoption of public EV charging. CarCharging owns and operates the Blink Network, the software that operates, monitors, and tracks the Blink charging stations and all of its data, and owns and operates EV charging equipment manufactured by various additional providers. CarCharging has strategic partnerships across multiple business sectors including multifamily residential and commercial properties, parking garages, shopping malls, retail parking, and municipalities, enabling EV drivers to easily recharge at locations throughout the United States. For more information about CarCharging or the Blink Network, please visit www.CarCharging.com, www.BlinkNetwork.com,www.facebook.com/Car.Charging or www.twitter.com/CarCharging.
ChargePoint
ChargePoint is the largest and most open electric vehicle (EV) charging network in the world, with more than 18,000 charging locations. Ranked #1 by leading independent research firm, Navigant Research, ChargePoint makes advanced hardware and best-in-class cloud based software. ChargePoint’s open network is utilized by many leading EV hardware makers and encourages all EV charging manufacturers to join. ChargePoint’s real-time network information including the availability of charging locations throughout the nation is available through the ChargePoint mobile app, online and via the navigation systems in top-selling EVs including the new BMW i3 and the Nissan LEAF. Every 9 seconds, a driver connects to a ChargePoint station and by initiating over 5 million charging sessions, ChargePoint drivers have saved over 4.3 million gallons of gasoline and driven over 100 million gas free miles. For more information about ChargePoint, visit www.chargepoint.com
NRG eVgo
The NRG eVgo SM network gives electric vehicle (EV) owners new freedom and range confidence via home and workplace charging docks, plus a network of fast charging stations conveniently located at retailers along major transportation corridors within eVgo cities. Service plans offered by eVgo can provide EV owners a home or workplace charger and use of eVgo’s Freedom Station® sites and other public charging stations. eVgo is a wholly owned subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc., a Fortune 250 company at the forefront of changing how people think about, buy and use energy. Through eVgo, NRG will provide access to hundreds of public charging sites across the United States. To find out more, or to join the eVgo network, visitwww.nrgevgo.com. Connect with eVgo on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @nrgevgo.
AeroVironment, Inc.
AeroVironment is a technology solutions provider with decades of experience delivering complete EV charging solutions, such as the recently launched dual-voltage TurboCord portable charger, home charging, public charging, fast charging, data collection, grid-integrated communications, and complete installation, training and support services for consumers, automakers, utilities, government agencies and businesses. The company has deployed nearly 18,000 Level II charging stations in North America and hundreds of DC fast-charging stations, including along the pioneering West Coast Electric Highway, where the company supplies, installs and maintains the highway’s EV charging network. AeroVironment is a leading supplier of high-power test systems used worldwide by automakers and advanced battery manufacturers to develop the next generation of electric vehicles and batteries. To learn more please visit www.evsolutions.com.
PlugShare
PlugShare is the world’s most popular electric vehicle charging station locator app, made by Recargo Inc. Recargo is a leading electric vehicle service provider that offers consumer and industry intelligence to support the adoption and growth of plug-in mobility. PlugInsights is the company’s driver research division, powered by the largest panel of EV drivers ever assembled. For more information visit www.recargo.com