Nissan funds fleet of mobile charging trucks 06/09/2011
Electric vehicles have generated a considerable amount of buzz since their debut, although the positive press hasn't necessarily translated into big sales. Still, it's clear that the country is moving toward an electric future, as nearly every automaker has an EV planned. So how can the country combat the major limiting factor for the vehicles: range?
The term "range anxiety" has been coined for the fear that many drivers share - running out of juice and becoming marooned on the side of the road. Nissan, the makers of the Leaf electric vehicle, are eagerly searching for an answer to this problem. Many major cities are onboard with the idea of installing charging stations, but these are more of a novelty at this point than something drivers can rely on.
Nissan's latest idea is to instead fund a fleet of mobile trucks, equipped with charging stations. A driver that runs out of juice on the road would be able to summon one of these vehicles, much like a tow truck, to give them a quick boost.
"As EVs gain wider consumer acceptance, it is important to create a roadside assistance system that can help motorists driving EVs which have run out of battery power," said Hitoshi Kawaguchi, Nissan's senior vice president of external affairs.
The project is still in the trial phase in Japan, where EVs have enjoyed better sales. It's unlikely to become a reality in the U.S. until EVs become more common.