(Originally published in the March 2012 issue of the Nova Scotia Business Journal - Going Green feature)
The ShareReady Electric Vehicle Pilot Program is ready to roll.
The innovative program was launched late last year by Nova Scotia Power in cooperation with Nissan Canada and O’Regan’s Nissan Halifax. Nova Scotia Power secured 10 Nissan LEAFs™ for shared use by organizations in Nova Scotia. O’Regan’s Nissan is servicing the pilot program vehicles.
This past February, Nova Scotia Power introduced its eight ShareReady partners: Avis Rent A Car, DHS Engineering, Eastlink, Encanex, CBCL Limited, Port of Halifax, Saint Mary’s University, and Wilson Fuel Co. Limited.
“This program is about being ready for all-electric cars,” said Robin McAdam, executive vice president of sustainability for Nova Scotia Power, which is using two of the Nissan LEAFs.
ShareReady partner organizations will help Nova Scotia Power answer questions about the convenience of vehicle charging, the readiness of the provincial electric grid to support wider adoption of electric transportation, the cost of driving electric vehicles, and how the vehicles perform.
The environmental benefits of electric vehicles were examined by Dr. Larry Hughes, professor of electrical and computer engineering at Dalhousie University. The study found that the Nissan LEAF™ and Chevrolet Volt produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions in Nova Scotia today than the most fuel-efficient conventional gasoline vehicle in the same class. As Nova Scotia Power adds more renewable electricity sources to its generation portfolio, the relative environmental benefits of these electric vehicles should continually increase over time. To read more about the ShareReady pilot program or to view Dr. Hughes’ full report, visit shareready.nspower.ca.
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Fast facts: Nissan LEAF
• The Nissan LEAF™ has a range of 160 kilometres (EPA LA4 cycle) on one full charge, providing 90 per cent of Canadians with the range needed for daily commutes.
• With a 240 volt home charging dock, full charge of the vehicle is achieved in seven hours and with a Level 3 Quick Charger, 80 per cent charge can be achieved in just 26 minutes.
• Powered by a lithium-ion battery, the Nissan LEAF generates 107 horsepower, 207 lb-ft of torque providing a highly responsive experience.
• Because there’s no traditional engine, the vehicle is ultra-quiet. For safety reasons a sound had to be added so pedestrians could hear the car coming.
• The Nissan LEAF has been awarded a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
*Read more "Going Green" feature stories at: http://www.ns.dailybusinessbuzz.ca/Industry-Spotlight/Going-Green-22692
