Comments on: Nissan CEO Ghosn: “I Don’t Want a Range Extender”

By: Thermo is Fun

Thermo is Fun — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:21:27 +0000

To all the genius’ on here who think that an EV means zero emissions…
Generating Electricity (IN MOST CASES)= Emissions, more than likely from most indications more so than burning gasoline. Sure you can get a giant PV installation on your roof etc… you’re still generating carbon emissions to install transport and maintain the thing (albeit not as many)… Energy always balances.

By: Falstaff

Falstaff — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:58:49 +0000

The pure EV play for all usage vehicles is a silly idea:
1. Quick charge comes at a cost of lifetime or energy density or both. Period.
2. The ‘recharge centers’ or fill up stations for such a quick charge vehicle are not practical, they would in effect have to be mini power substations with a 10-20 MW capability, and thats for a slowish 20 min charge. Make it 3 minutes like your current gas refill and thats a 100MW ‘filling station’. Not going to happen.

Hence I think ‘range extender’ engines would more properly called ‘fast refill’ or some such. All electric can be made with plenty of range, but it is decades away from a quick refill. That being the case (you cant go any distance with out stopping for the night) then the PHEV concept of ~40 miles a sound target.

By: GripperDon

GripperDon — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 01:10:51 +0000

1.Pure EV fine with me. Simpler drive train transmission and power accessories. leaves more money for batteries. (240 & 120 volt input.
2. MUST have 100 mile range with the AC ON ! and a 100 F design external temp and inside at 78 F.
3. Must be able to go 70 mph. and 0 to 60 in 15 sec max.
4. Internal volume to seat 4 ( Prius like OK )
5. Min of: 6 way Power driver seat, 6 air bags, Decent sound with aux in, power windows, non chincty interior for max of $28,000
DO this and you will out sell Prius.

By: Microbatman

Microbatman — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:39:57 +0000

Blurred vision like this is what kills companies.

Unless he has acess to some new storage technology that we do not know about then I would be curious to know about the reasons behind his decison not to make a REV.

By: LB

LB — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 04:29:06 +0000

I often travel from NY to Boston, which is a 200 mile trip for me. (Somtimes traveling to NC – 500 miles) Without the range extender, a 100 mile range will not cut the mustard. It would be OK for short drives or commutes, but the U.S. is large and many people drive over 100 miles often. Nissan is limiting sales potential.
GM is smart to have the range extender engine on the Volt.