Readers of HybridMile have read a few stories in the past about Nissan’s commitment to bringing hybrid and all-electric vehicles to the market in the near future. The motor company’s representatives used its advanced technology briefing to unveil additional information about HEV and EV offerings that are slated for 2010. Nissan also highlighted its ongoing development of lithium ion battery packs that will enable both vehicles to operate efficiently.

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Nissan is trying to get out from behind the shadow of Toyota and Honda with its long-term commitment to electrical vehicles. CEO Carlos Ghosn spoke about Nissan’s commitment to zero-emission and fuel-efficient vehicles in a meeting with stockholders this week. Ghosn has stated that Nissan’s electric vehicles would help put drivers in China, India and other growing countries into new cars without adding to pollution.

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The development of Toyota’s next generation of green vehicles has been taken one step further with the announcement of a $192 million battery factory. This factory will be built in Shizouka Prefecture and produce nickel metal hydride batteries for future generations of the Toyota Prius. Toyota is working with Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. on research, development and implementation of the Shizouka factory over the next two years.

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Nissan is feeling pressure from Toyota, Honda and other companies to step up efforts at cleaner vehicles. Toyota’s Prius has been a complete success in the American market with the Japanese automaker promising a sporty FT-HS hybrid for the 2009 model year. Honda is converting its CR-V sports utility vehicle into a hybrid for Europe in 2010 with additional markets opening up thereafter. Nissan’s response to this market domination by competitors is the potential resurrection of the 200SX as a hybrid vehicle.

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Mayor Gavin Newsom of San Francisco has been an advocate for environmental issues since taking office in 2003. Newsom’s latest proposal would turn the Bay City into a haven for electric car owners. The mayor has announced intentions to work with Shah Agassi’s Project Better Place to replace traditional cars with electric vehicles in San Francisco.

The city would become the first American city to partake in Project Better Place’s electric car initiative if Newsom gains enough support. Agassi’s organization is working currently on turning Israel into a nation of electric cars instead of gas-guzzling sedans and trucks. His advocacy of a subscription program where drivers lease electric vehicles and pay regular fees for plug-in stations is gaining ground among Israeli politicians. Project Better Place has opened a second front for its unique subscription program in Denmark where it has been received warmly.

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The New York International Auto Show was the stage used by Nissan to unveil the Denki Cube concept car. This electric vehicle is the next stage in the Nissan Green Program 2010 that outlines the automaker’s desire for more sustainable vehicles. The Denki Cube is intended as the first step toward a commercial hybrid vehicle in 2010, an electric vehicle by 2015 and the advancement of plug-in technologies throughout the next decade.

Nissan’s Denki Cube looks similar to the Honda Element or Scion xB in terms of body construction. This electric vehicle has laminated electrical cells that create double the energy capacity over competing batteries. The lithium-ion battery is the creation of Nissan, NEC and the NEC Tokin Corporation. These companies have assessed the current market for electric vehicles and combined forces to design batters for increased performance without exorbitant costs.

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