2009 Nissan Cube - Review

By John Voelcker

John Voelcker

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John is Senior Editor for High Gear Media. In addition to news coverage and new car reviews, John creates and oversees all editorial for High Gear's... More

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Nissan EV-02 prototype at speed

As for top speed, it will be limited with a governor, again to maximize range. But, said Perry, "you'll be able to get a speeding ticket in every state." That likely means at least 90 miles per hour.

Nissan says the car will offer 100 miles of range, and they've tested against the "LA4" driving cycle that simulates usage in mixed Los Angeles traffic. Angelenos average more than 80 miles per hour on freeways and use air conditioning a lot, so the car has been evaluated for real-world conditions.

Competitively priced AND cheaper to run

Perhaps most remarkably, Nissan claims it can price its compact EV at no more than a comparable gas-engined compact.

This is a remarkable claim. In other words, it can build and sell a five-seat electric car with 100 miles of range plus all the amenities (multiple airbags, air conditioning, navigation and entertainment systems) of any other compact--and price it competitively--just three years hence. Without factoring in the $7,500 Federal tax credit.

Nissan's Perry also pointed out that running costs for the EV would be much lower than for gasoline cars. Even with pricey electricity (14 cents per kilowatt-hour), he said, the Nissan EV would cost less per mile even if gasoline fell to $1.10 a gallon.

But if gas returns to last summer's levels of $4/gallon, as many expect, running a 30-MPG car would cost 13 cents per mile in gasoline. The EV, on the other hand, would cost its owner just 4 cents of electricity for every mile.

Even eliminating the cost of an engine, transmission, and other components, that means Nissan's battery pack is far less costly than those provided by third parties to other carmakers.

Building its own batteries

Nissan points out that, unlike Ford and General Motors, it controls its own lithium-ion cell manufacturer. The company, Automotive Energy Supply Corp., is a joint venture with NEC Corporation to make laminated lithium-ion cells based on a manganese chemisty.