Nissan, Tokyu Trying Out Tiny EV On The Streets Of Yokohama

TOKYO (Nikkei)--Nissan Motor Co. (7201) and railway operator Tokyu Corp. (9005) have begun test-driving a Nissan ultracompact electric vehicle in Yokohama with the help of seven families with small children.

Each family has been lent a car that it will drive around for two weeks in the Tama Denen Toshi area, which is served by a Tokyu train line, to collect information on the convenience of using such a tiny vehicle for day-to-day living. Their experiences will help address issues that need solving for the practical introduction of ultracompacts.

The Nissan New Mobility Concept is a two-person EV measuring 2.34 x 1.23 x 1.45 meters. It has a top speed of 80kph and can travel 100km on its fully charged lithium ion battery.

The tests are being conducted in cooperation with the city and the Transport Ministry, which is overseeing the study and plans to share the information with other municipalities in order to promote projects for introducing ultracompact cars.

(The Nikkei, Feb. 20 morning edition)

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