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Recharge Wrap-up: Aoxin Ibis could be Tesla competitor in China, Nissan Qashqai ZEOD due this year

Zero Motorcycles is expanding its North American dealer network. With more retailers selling the electric motorcycles, Zero has added three new regional sales directors. "We are enjoying a great response to our 2015 line of motorcycles and accessories, and it's driving accelerated growth," says Zero's Mike Cunningham. "To support and sustain this momentum, we are investing in a bigger, stronger team and partnering with leading motorcycle retailers." More sellers are getting on board as electric motorcycles appear more and more viable, and they're finding it's bringing in a new set of enthusiastic customers. Zero recently revamped its production process to meet the expected increase in demand for 2015. Read more in the press release, below. Chinese automaker Aoxin New Energy, has built an electric car that is set to compete with the Tesla Model S. The aluminum and carbon fiber Aaoxin Ibis (pictured) is longer than the Model S, but weighs less than the Tesla at 4,034 pounds. It offers 181 horsepower and has a top speed of only 94 miles per hour, but it boasts a driving range of about 285 miles per charge. Its upscale interior borrows its looks from the Tesla, with its digital gauges and large, central touchscreen. Read more at Car News China, or at Green Car Reports. Nissan will likely debut a Qashqai ZEOD concept later this year. The plug-in hybrid version of the compact crossover borrows its ZEOD moniker - which stands for Zero Emissions On Demand - from Nissan's hybrid Le Mans racer. It's possible it will borrow its powertrain technology from the Renault Eolab Concept, which could mean a 1.0-liter engine paired with an electric motor. Based on the success of the Qashqai in Europe, it's not unlikely that the plug-in version will debut there (Green Car Reports is betting on Frankfurt). Read more at Green Car Reports. Zero Motorcycles Expands North American Network Strong Demand Fuels Double-Digit Dealer Growth and Additions to Sales Team SANTA CRUZ, Calif., March 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Zero Motorcycles, the global leader in the electric motorcycle industry, announced today that three new regional sales directors have been added to the company's roster in the first quarter of 2015. The expansion of the sales team comes in response to rapid growth within the dealer network and reflects Zero's commitment to delivering world-class products and service.

Nissan has now sold 75,000 Leaf EVs in the US

Somehow it doesn't surprise us that the 75,000th Nissan Leaf electric vehicle sold in the US would go to a guy from Portland, Oregon. Rishabh Mehandru, who first experienced the Leaf through a lease a couple of years ago, took the full plunge with a 2015 model and ended up being No. 75,000 (ding, ding, ding!). You've got to love those repeat customers. The Intel engineer has a 30-mile commute, so, theoretically, the Leaf does the trip with about two-dozen miles to spare in its single-charge range. The Portland dealership that sold him the car says its Leaf customers are an "even" mix between new and repeat. Nationwide, Nissan boosted its Leaf sales last year by 34 percent to 30,200. Things have cooled off a bit so far this year, as Leaf sales through February were down 15 percent from the same period in 2014 to 2,268 units. As of the end of last month, Nissan Leaf's US sales since its late-2010 introduction trailed sales of the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in by exactly two units. Which means we can expect General Motors' announcement that the Volt has hit 75,000 units any day now. Take a look at Nissan's press release below. Related Videos: Nissan delivers 75,000th all-electric LEAF in the U.S. to Oregon family NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nissan celebrated with Rishabh Mehandru of Portland, Oregon, as he purchased the 75,000th Nissan LEAF in the United States. This is Mehandru's second Nissan LEAF after leasing his first one two years ago in an effort to reduce the emissions he was putting into the air. "I'm a runner, and when I ran outside I found that I was inhaling a lot of exhaust from the gas-powered cars that passed me on the roads," said Mehandru. "I instantly became aware of the amount of fuel I was burning, and that's when I first decided that I wanted to get an electric car." Mehandru, senior engineer at Intel, has a commute of about 30 miles and enjoys the spirited driving experience Nissan LEAF has to offer. "When the lease was up on my first Nissan LEAF, I knew that I didn't want any other car. I had to have another Nissan LEAF," said Mehandru. "I love how quickly I can get up to speed on the highway-even my three-year-old son notices how zippy it is-and I like that I don't have to stop for gas." Mehandru's excitement for his electric car is contagious, and he recently convinced a friend to also purchase a Nissan LEAF.

Toyota, Honda, Nissan and more collaborating to increase fuel efficiency

Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Daihatsu have announced an alliance that will see a push to improve fuel economy from both gas-powered and diesel-powered engines by as much as 30 percent before the end of the decade.
The newly assembled Research Association of Automotive Internal Combustion Engines put the roughly $20-million project together, with the Japanese government committing to half the cost while the eight manufacturers will chip in the rest.
According to Automotive News, the automakers will team up and share basic research on internal-combustion engines in a bid to cut costs. Eventually, the results of the research will find its way into a production vehicle, although it's unclear just when we'll see the fruits of this partnership on the road.