Nissan to Build Electric Cars in the U.S.

[Administrator]

A U.S. government initiative that would see low-interest loans granted to automakers who build environmentally-friendly cars in the U.S. appears to have one taker - Nissan. The Japanese automaker will spend anywhere from $500 million to $1 billion to update its Smyrna, Tennessee plant to build a green car and produce lithium-ion batteries.

While no specifics have been given the environmentally-friendly car is expected to be an electric vehicle based on an existing Nissan small-car platform. That leaves either the Versa or the new third-generation Cube. Nissan is currently testing an electric powertrain in a second generation Cube.

The Smyrna, Tennessee plant will be able to produce anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 of the electric vehicles annually by 2012. Nissan will begin electric car production in Japan in late 2010, with an expected annual production of 50,000 units.

More: Nissan to Build Electric Cars in the U.S. on AutoGuide.com

[raylev]

This is great. I have been driving an all-electric Ford Ranger EV for almost 10 years, nearly 50,000 maintenance-free, smog-free, gas-free, oil-free miles, on the original NiMH battery pack. It is just a shame it took the car manufacturers so long to get back on board. BTW, Nissan rolled out one of the best EVs in 1998-2000, called the Altra. It actually used Lithium Ion batteries back then, way ahead of its time. Well, better late than never, eh?

[boogerman]

i want the rims off that one

[michaelross]

That sure looks cool. Rarely do i see cubes on the road. I want to have one myself. Saw some nissan parts on the net for the cube and so far they are pretty priced enough.

[cube^3]

There are tons here. I think it is much better than the evil Scion.