Nissan this week announced a unique three-year research project with electricity utility, Eskom, which will include testing the new Nissan LEAF electric vehicle. The project is ahead of Nissan’s plans to formally launch the Nissan LEAF at the 2013 JIMS show, before it goes on sale in South Africa as the first EV.
Following a public awareness program with the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), and another with the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), the project aims to create a commercially viable infrastructure for the use of electric vehicles in South Africa.
The announcement of the Nissan collaboration with Eskom was annouced at a vehicle handover ceremony of ten Nissan LEAF EVs. The fleet administration and maintenance of the Electric Vehicles will be managed by Avis Fleet Services, appointed to do the job on Eskom’s behalf.
Barry MacColl, Eskom’s General Manager, Research, Testing and Development, elaborated on the project: “Eskom has been doing EV research for several years with the intention of understanding the impact of EVs on our grid,” he said, “and we also want to understand usage patterns and charging characteristics of the cars themselves in order to design grid solutions and tariffs for e-mobility.”
MacColl said that while South Africa uses fossil-based fuels for many of its energy processes, a new approach was in the sights of all concerned. “E-mobility is a way of moving people around in a more effective and cleaner fashion which is critical for the economy,” he said.
MacColl added that Eskom is intent upon finding technology options suitable for implementation within the energy body. He also thanked Avis Fleet Services for their role. Clive Else, Chief Executive of Avis Fleet Services, said his company was proud to be associated with the project: “The involvement of Avis Fleet Services, South Africa’s largest fleet management services company, early in the introduction cycle of this exciting vehicle will help establish AFS as a local leader in the practical application of this technology for our customers,” said Else.
The Nissan LEAF is the world’s first mass market electric vehicle and has already been rolled out in Japan, the U.S. and Europe with over 60 000 LEAFs sold globally to date. What do you think? Would you be tempted by the Nissan LEAF EV? Or would the traditionally limited range of EVs; rolling blackouts courtesy of our traditionally unreliable energy supplier and lack of government incentives to support green technologies put you off?
