Nissan Leaf: The Car that Cleans Itself?
By Mike Garcia
Some people take a lot of pride in their cars. Some just don’t have the time to deal with the simple things, such as basic maintenance and the weekly car wash.
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Really, a car wash once a week can reap benefits for the driver. It helps with visibility and even aids fuel economy on a minuscule level. It even helps retain the value of the vehicle by maintaining the paint quality.
Now, Nissan has shown that they are working on the technology for a car to clean itself. Don’t believe it can happen? Watch how this Nissan Leaf handles paint being spilled onto the exterior.
While there are currently no plans for this unique paint coating technology to be applied to Nissan vehicles as standard equipment, Nissan continues to consider the technology as a future aftermarket option.
"“The LEAF is already one of the cleanest vehicles around even without this incredibly innovative paint technology; that said, we’re not afraid to get our hands dirty to take this to the next level,” said Pierre Loing, vice president, Product Planning, Nissan North America, Inc."
For 2015, the zero-emissions Nissan LEAF is available in three trim levels: LEAF S, SV and SL, along with option packages offering advanced systems such as Around View® Monitor and seven-speaker Bose® energy-efficient audio and Hands-Free Text Messaging Assistant*. The EPA estimated driving range for LEAF on a fully charged battery is rated at 84 miles and MPGe ratings are 126 City, 101 Highway and 114 Combined.** Nissan LEAF can be charged up to 80 percent of its full capacity in 30 minutes when equipped with a quick charge port and using a fast charger. Charging at home through a 240V charging dock is estimated to take less than five hours with the 6.6 kW onboard charger (less than eight hours with the S grade’s standard 3.6 kW onboard charger). However, charging times may vary.
[2014. Nissan. Nissan’s “Self Cleaning Leaf” Hits the Streets, then the Web. [Press Release] via http://www.newspressusa.com/public/ViewPressRelease.aspx?pr=43852&pr_ref=4542]