Nissan Expands Its Charging Station Plans in Arizona

By Michael Kanellos

The Renault-Nissan Alliance (hereinafter “Nissan”) has expanded its agreement with charging station maker ECOtality to bring charging stations for electric cars to Arizona. Earlier, the two companies outlined an agreement to try to put charging stations around Phoenix.

Now, the two will work to put charging stations up on the Phoenix-Tucson corridor so people who own the cars, coming out next year, can voyage around the state. Nissan plans to bring all-electric cars to the U.S. and Japan in late 2010 that will cost between $20,000 and $33,000 before federal tax credits of $7,500. Check out the video of a test drive of the prototype here.

Who is missing from this deal? Better Place, the company that wants to build electric charging networks too. Nissan and Better Place are working on a similar project in Israel. It might be expanded, but there’s no word yet.

One of the big differences between Better Place and ECOtality is that Better Place is working on ways to develop battery swapping stations so that drivers can get back on the road, in theory, in minutes. ECOtality doesn’t support battery swaps.

Batteries in all-electric cars, after all, can weigh 400 to 1,000 pounds.

Although charging stations will inevitably become necessary as electric cars become more popular, most people will charge their cars at home and, if the utilities have any say in the matter, at night so that the cars won’t stress the grid.

Comments

[TinyTim]

Interesting video. This is the first EV I've seen that seems remotely feasible. Decent range; price isn't bad, except it requires a $7500 credit.
Interesting comment that it drives like a Civic instead of a golf cart. Why didn't they use a compact or subcompact (like a Civic) instead of that shoebox on wheels. Probably marketing sales research. A more aerodynamic profile would extend the range, plus lighter weight with a subcompact. The battery pack looked surprisingly light and compact, not even 400 lbs. Sure that wasn't the electronics module?

The need for charging stations outside the home escapes me. Someone better figure out their AZ geography. There's one place between Phx & Tucson for a charging station and it's a truck stop now. What about Phx to Flagstaff? Also, what does it have for A/C??

2009 Apr 17 05:00 PM