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Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf go nearly the same all-electric miles a year

Range anxiety? What range anxiety? The concept is a foreign one to those driving Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-ins, and as a result, that vehicle's all-electric driving miles are actually pretty close to that of the all-electric Nissan Leaf. Such were the findings of a study conducted by the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), which tracked about 8,700 cars during a three-year period, including a bunch of Volts, Leafs and Smart ED electric vehicles. In short, even though the Volt's all-electric range of about 38 miles is less than half that of the Leaf's, the Volts' collective all-electric driving was just six percent lower than the Leaf's (the next-generation Volt will be even more electro-generous, with a 50-mile range). The logic makes sense considering typical US driving habits, in which a vast majority of people commute less than 35 miles a day. Additionally, Volt drivers obviously have no fear of running out of electricity, so they were far more likely to max out on that range than some Leaf drivers. Overall, the average Leaf is driven about 15 percent less than the national average of about 11,300 miles a year for all vehicles, while Volts are driven about eight percent more. Of all those Volt miles, about 81 percent were in all-electric mode. Additionally, Volt drivers recharged about 1.5 times a day, while Leaf drivers recharged about once a day, and about 85 percent of that charging was at home. As for non-home charging, about 20 percent of the vehicles accounted for 75 percent of the station use, so folks are definitely creatures of habit. Check out the INL's 22-page report here for more interesting details. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2016 Chevrolet Volt: First Drive View 24 Photos Related Gallery 2016 Nissan Leaf View 30 Photos News Source: Idaho National Laboratory via Hybrid Cars Green Chevrolet Nissan Electric Hybrid extended-range plug-in

Nissan beats 2Q expectations with $1.3b profit

Nissan reported its Q1 financial results through the April-June period, and Bloomberg reports that the Japanese automaker beat analyst expectations. The outlet averaged income estimates provided by 11 analysts to come up with a figure of 130.2 billion yen ($1.3 billion), while Reuters' analyst survey returned a estimate of 163 billion yen ($1.6 billion) in operating profit. Nissan easily beat them both with 152.8 billion in net income and 193.7 billion in operating profit. That profit number is up from 122.6 billion yen in the same quarter last year. The surge comes from increased US sales. June sales grew 13 percent, helping propel a 4.5-percent increase for the year so far and the best first-half calendar-year sales Nissan has had in ten years. Higher incentives have helped, as well as superheated Nissan Rogue sales; the crossover moved 99,302 units through the first six months of 2014, this year that number is 135,397, and observers expect its popularity to continue. In contrast to other automakers struggling with the slowdown in China, Nissan isn't doing so badly there. Growth rose by 5.7 percent in the first half of this year, a number that would have been larger but for depressed commercial vehicle sales because of the economy's slowdown. Nissan is sticking with its original targets, sure that government intervention and new models will hold the markets steady enough. The press release below has more information on the numbers. Nissan reports net income of $1.3 billion for first quarter of FY2015 Results for three months to June 30, 2015 (TSE report basis – China JV equity basis)* Acct - Q1 - Y-O-Y Net revenue - JPY2.90 trillion ($23.9 billion/ˆ21.6 billion) - +17.6% Operating profit - JPY193.7 billion ($1.6 billion/ˆ1.4 billion) - +58.0% Ordinary profit - JPY215.9 billion ($1.8 billion/ˆ1.6 billion) - +45.2% Net income** - JPY152.8 billion ($1.3 billion/ˆ1.1 billion) - +36.3% Based on average foreign exchange rates of JPY 121.4/USD and JPY 134.2/EUR YOKOHAMA, Japan , Jul. 29, 2015 – Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced fiscal year first quarter financial results for the three months ending June 30, 2015. The company reported net revenue of $23.9 billion (2.90 trillion yen), an increase of 17.6% versus 2.47 trillion yen a year ago. Operating profit was $1.6 billion (193.7 billion yen), up from 122.6 billion yen, a 58.0% increase. Net income was $1.3 billion (152.8 billion yen), an increase of 36.3% versus 112.1 billion yen in the prior year.

Nissan Skyline Nismo gets a more powerful Z engine

Recent rumors claim the Nissan Skyline will morph into an electric crossover in the coming years. Regardless of whether or not they're true, the company isn't done with the current, gasoline-powered Skyline yet and it launched a limited-edition, Nismo-branded model in Japan. If you're experiencing deja vu, it's likely because the Nissan Skyline is sold as the Infiniti Q50 in the United States. We even get a range-topping, performance-oriented trim level, the 400-horsepower Red Sport 400. The Skyline Nismo goes further, though, by adopting an evolution of the twin-turbocharged, 3.0-liter V6 that powers the Red Sport 400 and the Z coupe. It's rated at 414 horsepower and 404 pound-feet of torque. For context, the Q50 and Z pack 400-horsepower and just 350 pound-feet of torque. The Nismo's engine spins just the rear wheels via a seven-speed automatic transmission, whereas America's Red Sport 400 is available with all-wheel drive. Nissan didn't settle for adding a few horses to the cavalry, slapping a couple of "Nismo" emblems to the body, and calling it a job well done. Its engineers redesigned the Skyline's suspension system, installed fade-resistant brake pads and recalibrated the various vehicle control systems, including the ABS, to deliver a sportier driving experience on and off the track. The brand even went as far as securing the windshield and the rear window with a type of adhesive normally reserved for the GT-R Nismo to improve rigidity without adding weight.  Visual updates are part of the Nismo package as well, including 19-inch Enkei wheels wrapped by tires that are wider than the ones worn by the regular-production model, an old-school "GT" emblem on each fender, and a body kit that includes a front splitter and side skirts. These updates aren't just for show: Nissan notes the redesigned grille opening helps channel additional cooling air to the radiator and the oil cooler. The Nismo treatment also permeates the cabin. The front passengers sit on Recaro sport seats with red inserts, while the driver faces a steering wheel with a red 12-o'clock mark as well as a new-look tachometer with a red ring and a small "Nismo" logo below the needle. Enthusiasts who want an even rarer version of the current-generation Skyline can try their luck at scoring the Nismo Limited.