THE TESLA KILLER

摘要

When Nissan introduced its Leaf last year, it became the first major automaker to enter the modern pure-electric-vehicle market, which was previously populated almost entirely by tiny carmakers such as the Palo Alto, California, company Tesla Motors. Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said that his company would invest more than $5 billion in electric cars through 2013, and that it would soon become the world's largest electric-vehicle maker. Then in March, Nissan made its most direct assault on the little guys-it unveiled an electric sports car. For now, the Nissan Esflow is a concept, but Nissan is considering full production. It's not a stretch: The Esflow is based on the same batteries and motors that power the Leaf. The rear-drive Esflow carries a 975-pound, 36-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, compared with the 24 kilowatt-hours found in the Leaf. To partially offset that extra weight, the concept uses a feathery carbon-composite body affixed to an aluminum chassis. Rear-mounted cameras replace side-view mirrors, reducing drag. Fixed seats sculpted into the bulkhead eliminate seat frames and the motors that adjust them. Likewise, the accelerator, brake pedals and shifter are electronic, eliminating the mechanical steering column and pedal assemblies.