Cornwall based Taxi firm enjoys 100,000 issue free miles in a fleet of LEAF's & e-NV200 all Electric vehicles.

The Nissan LEAF that sparked an electric taxi revolution in Cornwall has clocked up its 100,000^th mile without losing a single bar of battery life*. ‘Wizzy’ as it was named by St Austell-based operators C&C Taxis, hit the milestone in the course of more than 25,000 pure electric paying fares and having been rapid charged over 1,700 times.

The distance it’s covered since entering service in July 2013 is equivalent to 100 round trips from the company’s base in Cornwall to Glasgow, more than four times around the world or almost half the distance to the moon.

But, despite living the same punishing life as any modern day taxi, Wizzy retains near full battery health and, incredibly, is still on its first set of brake pads. 

Inspired by Wizzy’s performance, C&C Taxis now operates five further 100% electric Nissan LEAFs and an all-electric Nissan e-NV200 Combi. Mark Richards, Fleet Manager at C&C Taxis, estimates that each vehicle saves the business around £8,500 per year in fuel bills and maintenance costs.

He said: “When we speak to other taxi operators they often tell us range and battery life are the biggest factors preventing them from considering an electric taxi. “Then, when we tell them Wizzy’s done 100,000 miles and still has full battery health, they’re left speechless.”

He added: “It’s no exaggeration to say Wizzy has transformed our business. “We took a gamble when we bought her but she’ll have paid for herself in just 24 months and the savings we’re now making across the fleet are phenomenal.”

Built in Britain and priced from £21,490 RRP (including Government Plug-In Car Grant), the trailblazing Nissan LEAF is the world’s bestselling pure electric car and costs just two pence per mile to run.

It can travel up to 124 miles on a single charge** and can be recharged using a domestic plug socket or from zero to 80 percent in as little as 30 minutes at a special charging point.

USA - Chevy Spark repriced to offer an even better value package.

As low as $14,995 after full federal and state tax credits and Chevrolet Bonus Cash

Chevrolet announced today Spark EV 1LT’s new manufacturer’s suggested retail price would start at $25,995. Depending on an individual’s tax situation, the Spark EV is eligible for federal tax credit up to $7,500.

“Chevrolet is committed to making EV driving more accessible, affordable and fun” said Steve Majoros, director of Chevrolet Car and Crossover Marketing. 

“The Spark EV is already the most efficient – and one of the most affordable – EVs you can buy. 2015 Spark EV customers will benefit from an impressive blend of technology, capability and low cost of ownership, now at an even more impressive price.”

California and Maryland Spark EV owners may also qualify for a $2,500 California state rebate or $2,300 Maryland excise tax exemption. Additional Chevrolet bonus cash is also available: $1,000 in California, $1,200 in Maryland, and $3,500 in Oregon. 

After full federal and state tax credits and Chevrolet bonus cash, the Spark EV could be as low as $14,995. Individuals should consult a tax professional prior to claiming any credits to confirm eligibility for tax benefits.

Spark EV owners in California and Maryland are also eligible for High-Occupancy Vehicle, or carpool lane, access

A $139 per month* sign-and-drive lease for 39  months with $0 due at lease signing including security deposit but excluding tax, title, license and dealer fees, is also available, making the Chevrolet Spark EV one of the most affordable EVs on the market.

Compared to the average new gas-powered vehicle, the Spark EV can save drivers, on average, about $83 per month in fuel costs according to EPA assessments based on 24 mpg highway for an average vehicle and 12 cents per kWh of electricity cost.  More details are available at fueleconomy.gov.

Currently available at select Chevrolet dealers throughout California and Oregon, select Chevrolet dealers in Maryland will have Spark EV’s available beginning in mid-2015.

More than 90 percent of Spark EV owners are trading in a non-GM nameplate or adding a new car to the household.

“The Chevrolet Spark EV is helping us reach new buyers in critical markets like Los Angeles,” said Majoros. 

“Spark EV owners recognize the car as an opportunity to drive an all-electric vehicle that fits their budget and lifestyle.” The Spark EV features a combined city/highway EPA estimated range of 82 miles when fully charged and an EPA-estimated combined city/highway 119 MPGe fuel economy equivalent.

The Spark EV is compatible with the SAE combo charger for DC Fast Charging as an available option. The capability enables the Spark EV to recharge up to 80 percent of its capacity in approximately 20 minutes at select DC Fast Charging stations based on charging levels and outside temperature.

Unlike most competitors, the Spark EV’s battery system is capable of handling multiple compatible DC Fast Charges daily. Charging can also be completed in less than seven hours using a dedicated 240V charge. 

A 120V charge cord set comes standard.  Charging can be managed and monitored remotely using the Spark EV’s smart phone application, provided by OnStar, which is standard for three years. The vehicle’s 19 kWh lithium-ion battery pack offers limited warranty protection of eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Nissan Proves Commercial Vehicle Toughness in Extreme Arizona Desert

Nissan is announcing America’s best commercial van warranty* on its Light Commercial Vehicles, increasing basic limited warranty coverage from 3 years/36,000 miles to 5 years/100,000 miles, whichever comes first. The powertrain limited warranty has also been extended from 5 years/60,000 miles to 5 years/100,000 miles, whichever comes first.

The specific models covered by this new bumper-to-bumper warranty include the 2014 NV Cargo Van, NV Passenger Van and the NV200 Compact Cargo.**

“While we’re relatively new to the world of commercial vehicles in the U.S., we’ve already proven our mettle with vehicles that endure harsh conditions that passenger cars will never see,”  said Fred Diaz, senior vice president, Nissan Sales & Marketing and Operations.  “This warranty reaffirms our confidence in the quality of our vehicles, as some of the NV 2500 and 3500 models have already accrued 550,000-plus miles of real-world use.”

The improved warranty retroactively covers all 2014 model year Nissan Commercial Vehicles. Nissan has been selling LCVs in the U.S. since spring 2011 with the introduction of the NV Cargo and NV Passenger vans. The NV200 Compact Cargo was released to acclaim in April 2013 and is also the base for the Chevrolet City Express, General Motors’ upcoming entry into the segment.

“As Nissan Commercial Vehicles have established a reputation for ruggedness and durability in the field, we’re gaining sales traction and customer acceptance of our work vehicles,” Diaz added. “We’re in the commercial vehicle game for the long haul, and this warranty will further help our customers to have greater confidence in their vehicles.”

 Nissan’s new Light Commercial Vehicle warranty was inspired in part by the stories of Nissan Commercial Vehicles experiencing remarkable longevity under real-world work circumstances with businesses such as Above and Beyond Delivery. The company operates a fleet of 18-20 Nissan NV 3500 cargo vans out of Chandler, Ariz., supporting the mining, pharmaceuticals and food services industries. Above and Beyond began working with Nissan back in 2011, when an NV Cargo was lent to the company for its operations in the mining industry. 

The initial vehicle used by Above and Beyond accrued more than 550,000 miles on its odometer with few repairs or downtime in the course of its service – the most major being an alternator replacement at 382,000 miles. 

“Our drivers operate in the extreme weather of Arizona in challenging conditions, such as the Morenci Mine, which is one of the world’s largest copper mines. Service failures are not an option for us. If a vehicle is down, it is not making money, so the reliability of the Nissan NVs is a massive advantage,” said James Bowman, president, Above and Beyond Delivery.

“We have been very impressed at how good the Nissan NV lineup has gotten – especially with our half-million-mile experience with a single NV Cargo hauling large rock samples – so we are in the process of transitioning all of our light-duty delivery vehicles to Nissan NVs.  We have 25 vehicles on order at present.”

Year-to-date, Nissan has sold more than 10,700 commercial vehicles in the U.S., an 88 percent increase over this time period in 2013.

All Nissan Commercial Vehicles sold in the U.S. are assembled in North America, with the NV Cargo and NV Passenger assembled in Canton, Miss., and the NV200 assembled in Cuernavaca, Mexico.