UKH2Mobility starts with three goals that should help the United Kingdom jump into the fuel-cell vehicle industry. Partners in UKH2Mobility will study the alternative energy sources proposed by British communities including hydrogen fuel cells. This research will focus on building the case for fuel cells based on emissions reduction, available technology and costs to the consumer. Another goal for UKH2Mobility is analyzing the costs of developing refueling stations and training service stations to handle fuel-cell drive systems. The initiative will also develop marketing efforts to highlight the potential enhancements for the British economy through job growth, manufacturing and natural resources extraction.

Industrial partners in UKH2Mobility represent global leaders in the automotive and energy industries. UKH2Mobility features contributions from Vauxhall Motors, Toyota, Tata Motors, Nissan, Hyundai and Daimler. This initiative also leverages expertise from The BOC Group, Scottish and Southern Energy, Intelligent Energy Limited and Air Liquide Hydrogen Energy. Officials from the Department for Energy and Climate Change, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Department for Transport are coordinating these efforts. This public-private partnership should reduce barriers to mobilize fuel-cell technology over the next decade.

The British government has already gained expertise in the fuel-cell industry through the European Fuel Cells & Hydrogen Joint Undertaking. This partnership started on October 14, 2008 with the primary goal of facilitating commercial releases for fuel-cell vehicles by 2020. The Joint Undertaking also represents a connection to the European Union as the partnership was the first under the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan. UKH2 Mobility expands on the foundations of the Joint Undertaking while incorporating more businesses that have experience with hydrogen fuel cells. The United Kingdom represents an ideal proving ground for hydrogen vehicles given varied weather, traffic patterns and community sizes.

The National Household Travel Survey from 2009 used data about commuting distance, city size and driving habits from March 2008 to May 2009. The authors of the report found that vehicles used within this period traveled about 40 miles per day. Participating drivers often traveled less than 30 miles (95% of trips) and 99% of trips were less than 70 miles. “Assessment of Electric Cars’ Range” notes that 95% of total daily commuting was below 120 miles and 99% fell below 250 miles. The average participant traveled only 12.6 miles in one direction for a daily commute.

Plug-in and battery-electric vehicles hitting the market in the next five years meet these commuting requirements with some leeway. The Nissan LEAF can achieve a 138-mile range when fully charged, which would handle 95% of all commutes. “Assessment of Electric Cars’ Range” also concludes that the 2011 Tesla Roadster could meet 98.5% of commutes even if the driving range was reduced 15% from EPA estimates. This report highlighted the oft-mentioned distinction between urban and rural commutes. Consumers in compact spaces from New York City to Honolulu travel only 24 miles per day while Midwestern drivers average about 49 miles per day. EV owners in urban and rural areas could balance adequate range with smart grid use based on these findings.

Organizers of the Solar Journey USA project are highlighting these findings prior to a cross-country excursion this summer. Rob van Haaren and Garrett Fitzgerald will use a vehicle powered by solar paneling to cover 3,200 miles in 17 days. “Assessment of Electric Cars’ Range” and the Solar Journey USA trip highlight the reliability of EV technology at a precarious economic moment. This message must be repeated ceaselessly by researchers, automakers, government agencies and utilities to keep consumers looking forward.

The Plug-in Car Grant currently offers discounts on 10 vehicle models including the Nissan LEAF, Tata Vista and Citroen CZero. The Department for Transport notes that 1,052 qualifying vehicles were purchased in the United Kingdom though only 892 grant applications had been approved. This disparity comes from the delay between a manufacturer’s application for reimbursement and government approval.  The first round of qualifying vans should be approved by the end of January after a month-long application process. The addition of vans to the Plug-in Car Grant should help families, small businesses and government agencies save significantly on their green vehicle investments.

Manufacturers of plug-in vans must meet rigorous criteria for their models to qualify for the Plug-in Car Grant. Current standards require qualifying vehicles to travel up to 70 miles per charge with a top speed of 60 miles per hour. The Department for Transport requires manufacturers to provide at least a 60,000-mile warranty as well as a five-year battery warranty to protect consumers. Qualifying vans must also meet British and international vehicle safety standards including whole-vehicle crash tests. These criteria not only save consumers from lemons but protect the government’s substantial investment in this market.

The British government has invested $614 million in advancing low-emissions vehicles throughout the country. This investment includes $460 million for incentives like the Plug-in Car Grant, $123 million on advanced vehicle research and development and $46 million for EV charger installation. The Department for Transport notes that the United Kingdom features more than 2,500 plug-in stations including 765 funded during the recent Plugged-in Places project. These stations should be joined by 4,000 charging stations purchased by businesses through the end of this year. The Plug-in Car Grant is a worthwhile program that could become unique as European, American and Asian governments begin to cut back on national budgets.

The Nissan e-NV200 starts with the low body profile and design features of the NV200 currently on the market. Nissan has won acclaim for the NV200 body from organizations like Universal Design GMbH, providing a solid base for the all-electric version. This commitment to the NV200 form allows Nissan to offer corporate clients different drive options without sacrificing cargo space. The e-NV200 uses a 24 kWh lithium-ion battery and 80kW AC motor similar to those components used in the LEAF EV.

Street testing of all-electric versions of the NV200 began this past summer throughout Japan. The Japan Post Service used the Nissan e-NV200 primarily in Yokohama for parcel delivery as well as letter collection. Nissan is currently assessing the Japan Post trial results as they prepare production versions of the e-NV200. The e-NV200 is currently undergoing further testing with FedEx drivers in London this month. These tests should demonstrate the vehicle’s ability to handle commercial requirements in a variety of weather and traffic conditions.

The popularity of the NV200 and LEAF EV should boost long-term sales prospects of the E-NV200. The NV200 is sold in 40 countries around the world with production facilities in Japan, Europe and China. New York City has brought the Nissan NV200 into the spotlight by designating the model as the primary cab for local taxi companies. This designation means that the NV200 will carry more than 600,000 passengers per day. The Nissan LEAF EV has achieved a higher profile due to the automaker’s aggressive marketing strategy in North America. Nissan hopes that the connective thread between these three models will increase market share around the world.

Nissan developed the STAR WINGS route guidance system for Chinese clients in 2008. This system has been funded in part by the New Energy and Industrial Development Organization (NEDO) in an effort to head off increased traffic, fuel consumption and emissions. Nissan and the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport are installing up to 12,000 PNDs in Wangjing. These devices will also be used to study the impact of traffic routing on emissions, fuel consumption and safety within a group of 600 drivers. This subsection of the Wangjing trial helps the city tout green routing as a means of cutting emissions even as traffic congestion grows.

Drivers participating in this trial will test Nissan’s Dynamic Route Guidance and Eco-Drive Support over the next year. The Dynamic Route Guidance feature delivers traffic information including accidents, stop lights and points of high congestion from a virtual clearinghouse. This guidance system would update in real time, thus providing an overview of Wangjing traffic unavailable through existing applications and GPS systems. Nissan also includes Eco-Drive Support in the PND, which tracks fuel economy and educates drivers about their habits. The PND offers advice that can improve fuel economy and compares drivers within the system.

The Nissan/Beijing collaboration offers a blueprint for green transportation necessary in China’s growing urban populations. Forbes Magazine has included Chinese cities like Chongqing and Chengdu on lists of the world’s fastest growing cities. These cities offer alternatives to existing urban giants like Beijing where traffic congestion and smog contribute to a lower quality of life. Nissan’s work on STAR WINGS in Beijing could be used proactively in growing cities over the next generation. This foresight could head off problems currently beleaguering public health and safety in China while showing the potential for green routing around the world.

The Plugless Power charging system is categorized as a Level 2 inductive charging system. This system will be installed in Nissan LEAFs and Chevy Volts used by corporate partners ranging from manufacturers to electrical companies. Each participant in the Plugless Power road trials will keep a driving diary that provides feedback about the system’s functionality. Drivers are expected to respond regarding charging speed, connectivity issues and technical problems encountered over about eight months of operation. Evatran also wants driver feedback about potential improvements in system operation that could be incorporated in upcoming production runs.

The benefits of Plugless Power start with the minimal infrastructure required for vehicle charging. The receiver and charger are almost entirely hidden from the naked eye. Drivers will not experience significant increases in vehicle weight as the receiver only weights about ten pounds. Evatran estimates that the transfer efficiency rate is about 90%, a strong estimate considering the current limitations on wireless charging. The most important benefit to consumers is the simplicity of Plugless Power, which requires only that a driver parks above the charger.

Evatran was created in 2009 by MTC Transformers to develop EV charging units for fleet operators and homeowners. This MTC subsidiary is currently working with Yazaki North America to market Plugless Power to car dealers throughout the United States. This marketing effort would allow automakers to package charging units and vehicles, potentially reducing upfront costs for customers. Evatran and Yazaki would connect dealerships with certified technicians to reduce overlapping services. These efforts to push Plugless Power systems into the public eye shows that EV charging infrastructure should evolve quickly beyond the standard plug and socket.

The selection criteria developed by Nissan for complimentary quick-charge units ensures that participants can meet the needs of EV users. Nissan requires applicants to submit planned locations for charging units so that the most convenient and heavily used locations are selected. Installation of Nissan quick-charging units must take place beginning February 2012 to maximize impact for plug-in vehicle owners. The automaker also wants utilities to provide free or significantly discounted rates for Nissan owners for at least 12 months. The application process began on October 10 with recipients notified over the next month.

Nissan’s quick-charge technology was developed in conjunction with Mitsubishi, Nissan and Fuji Heavy Industries to ensure compatibility. The CHAdeMO charging standard used in Nissan stations allows owners of vehicles ranging from the Nissan LEAF to the Mitsubishi i-MiEV to rejuvenate their batteries. The inclusion of Mitsubishi vehicles in this standard helps Peugeot and Citroen given their partnerships with the Japanese auto industry. This technology also takes into account AC chargers developed by Renault for the European market. The Renault-Nissan Alliance can easily reconfigure Nissan’s quick chargers to meet the 43kW AC standard set by European automakers.

The delivery of 400 free quick-charge stations expands Nissan’s influence within the European market. The automaker already operates manufacturing facilities in Russia, Spain and Great Britain that have produced 528,000 units. Nissan Europe employs 12,500 staff members and offers 24 vehicle models throughout the European Union. The LEAF EV was released in Great Britain earlier this year with a broader release due by the end of 2011. Nissan’s partnerships with public utilities, governments and other automakers certainly improve prospects for the LEAF EV in Europe. The long-term consequence of the company’s investments in infrastructure is increased competition from other automakers looking to fill customer demands.

Nissan officials recently presented a five-year plan called Green Program 2016 that pushes along the automaker’s plans for eco-friendly vehicles. This blueprint for R&D spending pushes beyond the goals for 2016 set by Nissan in two previous plans. The automaker wants to produce and deliver 1.5 million EVs to global consumers within the next five years. Nissan plans a commitment of 70% of its R&D funding to projects that reduce the automaker’s environmental impact.

The primary goal of Nissan Green Program 2016 is to turn Nissan into the the industry leader in zero-emission vehicles. The 1.5 million EVs cited by Nissan include new models developed through the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Nissan has also signed an agreement with Daimler to develop a fuel-cell EV for Europe and North America in the next five years. The worldwide introduction of the LEAF EV along with three unnamed EV models should help Nissan achieve the five-year sales goal. Future plans for Nissan include smart-charging equipment, battery development and wireless vehicle communications that increase the feasibility of EV use.

Nissan also committed to industry-leading reductions in fuel consumption within traditional vehicles. The company’s coupes, sedans and SUVs will achieve an overall fuel consumption reduction of 35% compared to 2005 statistics. Designers at Nissan are developing an advanced continuously variable transmission (CVT) to be added to all models in the next decade. The addition of a front-wheel hybrid vehicle and a plug-in hybrid sedan to Asian, European and American markets should drive down fuel consumption. This fuel-efficiency initiative includes Nissan’s partnership with the Beijing City Government to develop technologies that reduce traffic jams.

Green Program 2016 includes reductions in manufacturing emissions and development of a materials recycling program. Nissan has committed to a 20% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by corporate facilities compared to 2005 figures. The major targets of emission cuts are manufacturing facilities, which must reduce 27% of carbon emissions by 2016. Dealerships and corporate offices must also reduce their emissions by 1% per year through the target date. Nissan’s production teams will also increase their use of recycled materials by 25% over the next five years. This closed-loop recycling initiative includes efforts to convert plastic, steel and rubber from older vehicles for next-generation models.

The Thai government created an eco-car program in 2009 that encourages automakers to develop vehicles with low emissions and high fuel economy. The eco-car label is applied to any vehicle built in Thailand that achieves a fuel economy rating over 47 miles per gallon and emissions lower than 120 grams per kilometer. Nissan’s Thailand subsidiary recently released the Almera sedan, which is the first sedan to qualify for the eco-car label. The Nissan Almera follows in the footsteps of the March hatchback released in 2010.

Nissan Motors developed the March as well as the Almera as part of the NMT Power Up 2016 strategy. This document sets fuel economy, emissions and production goals in Southeast Asia over the next five years. Designers used a V-frame and lightweight materials to increase fuel efficiency above 47 MPG in the Almera. The drive system is powered by a 1.2-liter gas engine with a five-speed manual or XTRONIC continuously variable transmission. The Nissan Almera will be produced in Samutprakarn with six makes and colors available to Thai consumers at a retail price starting from $13,879.

The Nissan March represented the automaker’s first eco-friendly vehicle in the Thai market. This hatchback was popular over the past year with an estimated 28,000 units sold since March 2010. This figure should reach 50,000 units by the end of 2011, which exceeds Nissan’s expectations by at least 10%. The March received recognition from Thai automotive organizations including the Most Environmentally Friendly Car of the Year and the Best Passenger Car under 1200cc in 2010. Nissan used the V-frame, components and drive system from the March when developing the Almera.

The eco-car label developed in Thailand shows that perfecting the traditional sedan is a realistic path to lower emissions and fuel consumption around the world. Thailand is similar to nations from Asia to Europe in lacking infrastructure for mass adoptions of plug-in vehicles. The Thai market also shares problems of urban density, congested traffic and growing vehicle adoption with regional powers. Nissan could beat out the competition for Thai consumers by jumping early into the eco-car fray. The March and the Almera provide diverse options for Thai consumers while keeping fuel costs low for workers.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has garnered attention over the past year for participating in EV trials and demos. Massachusetts has been targeted by Nissan, BMW and Chevrolet for EV rollouts over the next five years. Coulomb Technologies has supplied $500,000 from a U.S. Department of Energy grant to the state for charger installation and maintenance. The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources announced plans last week to add 143 charging stations in 25 communities throughout the state. Adding public chargers for government buildings and parking lots should help state residents adopt plug-in vehicles more readily over the next decade.

The state’s Department of Energy Resources holds $384,000 acquired during a 2007 settlement with an Ohio power plant sued for breaking federal environmental laws. State officials noted that these funds will be used to purchase all 143 stations. Communities and transit officials can apply to the state for financial assistance in cases where installation costs are high. Each community covers the cost for delivering electricity to stations with the option to develop billing mechanisms with local utilities. This subsidization of charging stations should help cash-strapped communities push forward with plug-in vehicle adoption.

Communities selected for new charging stations include several towns designated as “green communities” by state government. The Office of Environmental Management and Affairs provides funding to 74 communities that promote sustainable energy and transportation. The Town of Chelmsford is scheduled to receive two charging stations by 2012. These stations will be located at the town’s fire station and Adams Library, which are located near heavily traveled roads. Another target is the Town of Tyngsborough, a community of 11,292 located in eastern Massachusetts. Town officials are positioning their two chargers in the Department of Public Works parking lot and the Old Town Hall. These locations were selected to serve commuters traveling along Route 3.

Massachusetts will also install 48 charging stations near Logan International Airport and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) facilities. Plug-in vehicle drivers will be able to access stations at garages and surface lots throughout the Logan Airport property. The MBTA also plans installation of charging stations in frequently used lots near Boston. An expansion of charging infrastructure beyond downtown Boston is critical if automakers hope to reach early adopters facing long daily commutes.