SAN DIEGO - Nissan North America, Inc. is featuring a range of
its environmentally conscious vehicles at the 6th annual Clean Cities Conference May 7 to
10 in San Diego, including the cleanest gasoline-fueled vehicle in the world. The Clean
Cities Conference, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, promotes the development
and implementation of environmentally friendly vehicles. Nissan's range of production and
experimental vehicles showcase the company's commitment to the concepts espoused by the
Clean Cities Conference. Headlining Nissan's news at the conference will be the Nissan
Sentra CA, the cleanest gasoline-powered vehicle in the world. The CA is now on sale in
limited volume throughout California priced at just $14,799.
"The Sentra CA and the other cars we have brought to the Clean Cities Conference
-- the electric Altra EV, the Hypermini EV and the gas-electric Tino Hybrid -- are prime
examples of Nissan's philosophy of symbiosis of people, vehicle and nature," said
Mark Perry, corporate manager of category marketing.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has certified the Sentra CA as a Super Ultra
Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV). SULEV vehicles face the most stringent tailpipe emissions
standards. CARB says a SULEV engine emits only 2.3 pounds of ozone-forming hydrocarbons
during 100,000 miles of driving, which is about the same as spilling a quart of gasoline.
In addition, the Sentra CA is the only gasoline-fueled vehicle certified to the CARB zero
evaporative emissions standards. Evaporative emissions are fumes that are emitted from
fuel systems even when the vehicle is not operating.
The combination of zero evaporative emissions, SULEV tailpipe emissions, extended
durability and full compliance with On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) requirements means that the
Sentra CA qualifies as the only gasoline-fueled vehicle to receive Zero Emission Vehicle
credits in California.
The SULEV emissions standards are part of CARB's Low Emission Vehicle II (LEV II)
regulations for 2004 and subsequent model year vehicles, so Nissan is introducing this
vehicle at least four years earlier than required.
Also featured at the Clean Cities Conference will be the Altra EV, the Hypermini and
the Tino Hybrid, representing more of Nissan's forward-thinking design.
The Altra EV electric vehicle is a sport-utility vehicle/compact four-door
van/minivan/station wagon and has room for four passengers and 200 pounds of cargo. The
aerodynamic Altra EV is the roomiest production electric vehicle in the United States.
The Altra EV uses lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, similar to those used in notebook
computers and video recorders. It uses safe inductive charging, which electromagnetically
recharges the vehicle by sliding a plastic panel into the vehicle's front-end charge port.
The Altra EV motor produces 83 horsepower and has a range of 80 miles.
The electric-powered Hypermini is an ultra-compact city vehicle for one or two people.
Its small size provides it with tremendous versatility the Hypermini can park
virtually anywhere. It has a 70-mile range on a single charge and can attain a top speed
of 62 mph. Recharging its lithium-ion batteries takes roughly four hours via a 220-volt AC
charger designed to be permanently installed in a garage or recharging area. The Hypermini
is currently available in Japan and will be available in the United States soon.
The Tino Hybrid uses an electric motor and a conventional internal combustion engine
for reduced emissions and greater fuel efficiency.
(May 8, 2000) |