June 23, 2010

Filed under: Buying Advice — Tags: Electric vehicles, EV, EV's, hybrid, leaf — admin @ 11:24 am

After examining the latest additions to the electric vehicle range, experts have made some shocking predictions for a market that is supposedly set to ‘take off’.

Glass’ Guide – who specialise in estimating the value of used cars – predict that, based on the lifespan of the new electric batteries, EV’s such as the new Nissan Leaf will only be worth 10% of their original value after five years.

One of the main arguments against this analysis is that it is based on the presumption that the battery will have little or no value after its life in the car. However, EV supporters believe that the batteries could serve a range of functions outside of the car.

Currently, one of the main arguments against buying any new vehicle is that they lose a substantial amount of their initial value the moment you drive them off the lot. If these presumptions about the future value of EV’s stand true, then the predicted depreciation could stunt the EV market’s growth before it really gets growing.

June 11, 2010

Filed under: Green Cars — Tags: Government, hybrids, leaf, Nissan — admin @ 10:55 am

Nissan supply chain bosses have welcomed the Treasury’s decision to honour a £20m grant for the car maker to produce its Leaf electric car in Sunderland.

The decision has been welcomed by many suppliers. Kevin Heyhurst, Finance Director at Newton Aycliffe company ThyssenKrupp Tallent, which supplies internal bodywork parts for Nissan and a range of other leading automotive manufacturers, said: “This is great news for both Nissan and the North-east, as it strives to become a centre of excellence for electric vehicles.

“There were concerns last week that the Government might have either stopped or deferred the grant but, from its perspective, it’s a good investment for both the North-east and the country.

“It was the right decision, it’s further support for the region and all the things we’re trying to do.”

The move, he said, was the latest boost to the car market, which has seen a marked improvement this year following the government scrappage scheme. He added “Things are significantly better than they were in the early part of 2009 when the market was very depressed.”

Alan Hall, region director for manufacturer’s body EEF, said: “There was a real concern the new coalition Government would not fulfil its promise on this.

“The fact they have is not only brilliant news for Nissan but for North-east manufacturing.

“There is an extensive supply chain on Teesside and the good effects of this will filter down through it.

June 9, 2010

Filed under: Industry News — Tags: david Cameron, grant, leaf, Nissan, UK — admin @ 12:35 pm

A £20 million grant to Nissan to support the production of electric cars in the UK has been approved by Prime Minister David Cameron.

The funding, originally put in place under Labour, was among a series of financial support packages being reviewed by Mr Cameron’s Government.

At Prime Minister’s Questions, he said the investment in the Japanese car giant’s Sunderland factory would be going ahead.

Nissan said in March it would begin building the Leaf electric compact car at its Sunderland plant in northeast England from early 2013, making Britain its third global production site for the zero-emission vehicle.