EV cheapest motoring solution yet?

Nissan says models like its new LEAF electric vehicle will cost owners less to own than current cars.

Nissan's 'zero emission' LEAF EV was unveiled in Japan on the weekend. It uses an electric motor rated at 80kW power and hefty 280Nm as its sole powerplant. Fed by a lithium-ion battery pack comprising 48 'flat stacks' (each consisting of four thinner cells of storage) contributing 90kW/24kWh, it can be recharged via conventional 100-250V outlets used by households around the world.

At time of its reveal this week the price of the LEAF is yet to be announced. But the company says the upfront cost of the LEAF (without battery pack -- which will initially be leased) will be comparable to an equivalently equipped petrol or diesel-engined small car.

Savings exist beyond the purchase price of the car, according to Nissan. The price of fuelling a similar IC (internal combustion) engined small car significantly outweighs the cost of electricity to charge the LEAF for 'average' usage. Nissan also makes the point that environment still benefits -- even considering the blackest 'well-to-wheel' impact such as (in Australia) burning coal to produce the electricity.

"There's no premium on the vehicle itself," says Nissan's Corporate Vice President Dr. Andy Palmer.

"When you look at the cost of leasing [the battery pack] plus charging, the cost of operation will be less than a similarly priced hatchback."

The sums help Nissan's confidence it can promote the first of its zero-emission options by "moving the car from niche to mass" market sales appeal.

"There's a certain amount of people who'll buy it because they love the environment, who are tree-huggers... Most of us would like to be good to the environment; to be contributing to the future of our kids but most of us are not prepared to pay for it," Palmer stated.

"This vehicle, over life, will cost less than an equivalent internal combustion [engined] vehicle. That's why we can feel confident with the volumes we're talking about."

As EV powertrains are simpler than conventionally engined cars there are also benefits in terms of servicing.

Development of the 'flat stack' battery provides long life and reliability, according to Nissan, and CEO Carlos Ghosn is sure that by taking battery production in-house the company can control development, continue production efficiency to reduce cost and provide full support to customers.

Nissan says its new battery is now cheaper to produce as fewer parts are required. The use of manganese rather than comparable precious metal-based systems also provides good cost performance, the maker claims.

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