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Nissan Altra EV Ranked as One of the Best by Green Guide

24 February 1999

Nissan Altra EV Ranked as One of the Best by Green Guide to Cars and Trucks

    CARSON, Calif., Feb. 23 -- The Nissan Altra EV was ranked as
the best in its class -- mid-size wagons and it placed second on the overall
12 "greenest" vehicles for 1999.
    Green Guide to Cars and Trucks, a consumer guide published by the American
Council for Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) was released Wednesday last week,
February 17.  It features the "Best of 1999" highlighting the "greenest"
models by vehicle class -- compact, mid-size, large cars, vans, pickups and
sport utilities.  It also features the 12 "greenest" and 12 "meanest" vehicles
for the environment in 1999.
    The ratings published in the Green Guide to Cars and Trucks are derived
from emissions certifications and fuel economy data which automakers report to
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources
Board (CARB).  "Higher fuel economy protects the environment and is especially
important for fighting global warming," says John DeCicco, author of the
consumer guide.  "By 'greener' we mean cleaner and more fuel-efficient."
    The Altra EV represents the beginning of a new era of clean, quiet and
pollution-free automobiles being developed by Nissan for the United States.
The stylish, four-passenger minivan is the first production EV in the United
States to use Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, the same superior power source
used in high-end notebook computers and video recorders.  The lightweight,
energy-efficient Li-ion batteries provide the Altra EV with a useful driving
range of 80 to 100 miles.  The Li-ion battery-based Altra EV, however, is just
one of many global alternative transportation solutions Nissan is developing.
    The 1998 Nissan demonstration fleet program in California consists of 30
units with 98 additional units to follow in 1999/2000.  To further evaluate
the advanced technology of the Altra EV, these vehicles have been made
available to select fleet customers and Nissan employees.  Retail availability
for the general public will be announced at a later date.  The first 15 units
is currently leased to the following utility companies: Southern California
Edison Company (6), Pacific Gas and Electric Company (3), Los Angeles
Department of Water and Power (4), and San Diego Gas and Electric Company (2).
    "Nissan is committed to a harmonious coexistence of automobiles, people
and nature," said Mike Seergy, vice president and general manager, Nissan
Division.  "We are testing a broad range of alternative energy technologies in
order to expand environmentally friendly consumer options in the future."
    In North America, Nissan's operations include styling, engineering,
manufacturing, sales, consumer and corporate financing, and industrial and
textile equipment.  Nissan in North America employs more than 20,000 people in
the United States, Canada and Mexico, and generates more than 70,000 jobs
through more than 1,500 Nissan and Infiniti dealerships across the continent.
More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan
and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at http://www.nissan-na.com.