What you need to know about Nissan electric vehicles

The automotive industry on a global scale is slowly shifting towards clean energy. This can be seen with the recent hybrid vehicle introductions to the local market from the likes of Hyundai and Toyota. 

Nissan also plans to join the fray with its LEAF EV that will be entering the country in 2020. That shift can also be seen with the Philippine government as well. The country is undertaking many initiatives in terms of support from the government and additional infrastructure to cater to this automotive evolution.

According to a recent survey by Frost and Sullivan, 46% of Filipinos are considering an electric vehicle (EV) as their next vehicle purchase. This indicates that there is interest in the market for EVs but infrastructure still has to catchup. With that in mind, Nissan isn’t holding back with its plan to introduce its LEAF EV into the Philippines. 

Here are a couple of things that Nissan thinks Filipinos should know about electric vehicles.

Current-generation batteries have limited range and long recharge times. Technology is steadily improving to get charging times lower and to make capacities higher. Nissan’s entry into the EV the LEAF comes in with 311 kilometers worth of range when fully charged.

Having long-range capabilities allows drivers to easily travel to locations like Laguna (53km from Manila) and Baguio (245 km from Manila).

There are three ways to charge an EV. The first is at home with a standard wall socket. Charging with a standard a universal cable can be done right away and takes 12 to 15 hours to fully charge a Nissan LEAF. A wall box is another charging option, which can charge an EV in about 5 to 7 hours. The last option is a public charging station. Currently, there are 23 public charging stations (according to Nissan) available in the Philippines and can charge an EV faster than a wall box. More of these are being added to make it more accessible to the public. 

Electric vehicles produce zero direct emissions. EV’s are also quieter and contribute less to noise pollution. A Nissan LEAF has a running noise level of 21 decibels, which is much lower than a standard car that comes in with 82.

To support sustainable initiatives and reduction of emissions across Southeast Asia, Nissan has already introduced the LEAF in other countries such as Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. The Philippines is next on the list to join the electric mobility movement. The LEAF will be introduced into the country in 2020 but with no specific date yet.