2011 Nissan LEAF Adds Noise to Warn Pedestrians
The 2011 Nissan LEAF will be in dealership showrooms by December, but the all-electric car seems to be in the news at least once a week for some technology or innovation. Aside from its zero emissions, futuristic design and spacious interior, Nissan is now looking to make the LEAF safer for those outside of the vehicle. To avoid injuries to pedestrians who aren't aware that the LEAF is quietly driving close to them, Nissan is adding two different tones that operate when the car is at certain speeds to help warn nearby pedestrians.
One of the coolest parts about driving an electric vehicle is the complete silence, but for some pedestrians this could prove to be a danger. Surprisingly, it doesn't even take visual or hearing impairments for an electric car to sneak up on people at low speeds. To combat this, Nissan will incorporate the two tones that will help distinguish whether the car is in drive or reverse. Both tones emit varying tones so that they may be audible to more people. Various automakers have talked about a similar system on EVs and hybrid-electric vehicles, but Nissan is the first to come up with a production-ready system.
The sounds are emitted from a speaker positioned under the hood of the car, and are designed to operate at speeds under 20 miles per hour. Above this speed, the tires and the turbulence around the car apparently make enough of a noise to warn surrounding pedestrians. When the car is first put in drive, the tone is at its loudest since the car is able to protect pedestrians who might be walking behind the LEAF in a parking lot. Once in drive, the tone changes slightly, but it still sounds like the high-pitched wine that comes from EV motors. In reverse, the tone chimes similar to a conventional back-up warning system used on delivery vans.
While the 2011 Chevrolet Volt is expected to debut before the LEAF, Nissan's offering will be an all-electric EV with absolutely zero emissions. Nissan claims that the LEAF's 100-mile driving range should be enough to satisfy the needs of 70 percent of the world's commuters. This range is made possible by the car's 90kW lithium-ion battery pack as well as the regenerative braking system. A quick charger is expected to provide the batteries with an 80 percent charge in just 30 minutes, but most LEAF buyers will likely use their 200-volt home charging stations which require an eight-hour charging time.
The 2011 Nissan LEAF will have a starting MSRP of $32,780, but it will qualify for a federal tax credit of up to $7,500 meaning that the car could cost as little as $25,280. The home charging station will cost an additional $2,200 although Nissan says there is another tax credit available for this in the amount of $2,000.