Signs That SUVs Are Next Frontier for Electric Vehicles

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Signs That SUVs Are Next Frontier for Electric Vehicles

By Brad Berman · August 07, 2012

Signs That SUVs Are Next Frontier for Electric Vehicles | PluginCars.com

Nissan confirmed that it will unveil an "electric SUV concept vehicle" at the 2012 Paris Motor Show in late September.

Electric cars are small cars. That’s been the rule of thumb—up to now. Here’s the logic. Batteries are expensive and range is constrained. If you want to deliver around 80 miles of range (hopefully more in the future), and to move up to five people in reasonable comfort, then limit size to a compact car. Anything bigger than a Nissan LEAF or Ford Focus Electric will mean adding weight, and therefore more batteries will be required. In a case of a dog chasing his tail, those batteries will add still more weight (and cost) just to move those same batteries down the road. But forget all that: carmakers have apparently suddenly become interested in all-electric SUVs.

The latest sign comes from Nissan, which according to web reports, will display a battery-powered SUV concept at the 2012 Paris Motor Show in late September. Speaking with motoring.com.au, Jeff Fisher, Nissan Australia's press manager, said, “At Paris, [Nissan will] have an SUV concept, with zero emissions—so an electric SUV concept vehicle."

Car companies show fantastical concept vehicles all the time. It doesn’t mean they will produce them. But of course, putting the effort to show an electric SUV breeds speculation that Nissan has an SUV EV in mind—or at least wants to see how the public will respond. (European urban dwellers are not exactly big fans of SUVs.)

Big EV = Big Battery = Big Cost

Even a hint that Nissan would produce an all-electric SUV would be a new direction. The company’s line-up of four EVs appeared to be set: LEAF; the e-NV200 small commercial van; the Infiniti LE, a luxury electric sedan; and (with company statements delivered in May), the fourth Nissan EV would be a small gizmo-like three-passenger people-mover aimed at European and Asian markets.

This electric portfolio, essentially all the EVs we would see from Nissan in the next few years, hardly seems like a winning formula—especially for the North American market. Enter the electric SUV.

Last week, Toyota held its media event to introduce the new RAV4 EV, which goes on sale in about a month. The RAV4, with a 41.8-kilowatt hour battery, will cost $49,800. The RAV4 EV’s powertrain is supplied by Tesla, which unveiled its own future SUV EV in February. The supersized and super-fast falcon-door Tesla SUV, promised for 2014, could have battery packs in the 60-kWh to 80-kWh range. The price tag will top out at $100,000, according to Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Toyota and Tesla might argue that the larger platform creates more room for batteries, ensuring decent range.

Are we moving in the wrong direction in terms of EV affordability and accessibility? Or will Americans only accept electric vehicles when they are every bit as large as internal combustion vehicles—even if it means a steeper price tag?

Nissan’s Fisher didn’t confirm details about exactly what the company will show in Paris. And even after the fall 2012 auto show season comes to a close, we are unlikely to know much more about what EVs the company will produce in the next couple of years.

Nissan executives remain emphatic that big volume is the name of the game. So despite fundamental laws of physics, economics and common sense, the company might have to at least consider an electric SUV as a future model—if for no other reason but to prevent another company from stepping into the electric market
 
There's no need for electric vehicles. Diesel and natural gas are the way to go.

There are potential advantages to battery powered SUVs and 4WDs high speed isn't a big requirement but a lot of low end torque and the ability to carry a lot more battery. You run out of charge out deep in the rough, you unroll the charging tarp, camp out for a few days while you charge-up your ride back to civilization. I have electric four-wheelers that we use like this when we go camping. The best thing about these is that they are quiet, and allow you to be less disruptive in your interaction with the environment. With a carbon tax, I've no problem with people having the choice between driving what they want to drive, pedal, electric, gasoline, natural gas or lumps of coal.
 
"I've no problem with people having the choice between driving what they want to drive, pedal, electric, gasoline, natural gas or lumps of coal."

As long as they produce the same level or lower of pollution as solar power as a standard, then yes.
 
"I've no problem with people having the choice between driving what they want to drive, pedal, electric, gasoline, natural gas or lumps of coal."

As long as they produce the same level or lower of pollution as solar power as a standard, then yes.

IF they are paying the carbon (and other) tax on their fuel then all of their externalities should covered.
 

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