Ten years ago, the idea of getting behind the wheel of an all-electric vehicle probably seemed pretty out there, didn't it? But thanks to cars like the Nissan LEAF, the electric vehicle is becoming an important part of the automotive landscape here in America. And Nissan has no plans to stop there, either. By 2020, we'll be seeing a whole new generation of electric vehicles.

The Japanese automaker is starting with their PIVO 3, what they're calling a "realistic EV." They unveiled the three-seat car at the Tokyo Motor Show, with the intention of introducing a feasible, smart, evolved EV. While practically navigating through cities is a major goal of the project, this car will also be able to park itself - even if the driver isn't in the vehicle!

Designed with urban driving in mind, Nissan's third-generation PIVO concept is less than 10-ft long. In-wheel motors propel the car, and when it's parked, it can charge itself or sell excess energy to smart grid. Imagine you've spent the day shopping, and then you can summon your (now fully charged) vehicle via your smart phone? At least, that's what Nissan says it will be able to do when it hits the market later this decade.

One more thing about the PIVO 3 we'd like to mention: while there's room for two passengers in the back, the driver will sit in the center of the front of the vehicle. "That gives you very different visibility, a very different way of driving in general. You are like a driver in a race car - for example, a one-seat race car. That's a big thing because we think only EV can provide this in the vehicle and that'll completely change your relationship with the car,"¹ says Nissan's Deputy Divisional General Manager for Product Strategy at Nissan, Francois Bancon.

Bancon went on to say that this isn't the only EV concept under development at Nissan. If this model does go into to production, it will be in quite a few years - 2016 or 2017 at the earliest. Which is good, because we need time to get used to the idea of a car that will drive itself. Needless to say, Connell Nissan, 2850 Harbor Blvd Costa Mesa, CA 92626 promises to keep you up-to-date on the latest Nissan news and updates.

Source: ¹http://www.siliconrepublic.com/green-tech/item/24410-nissan-unveils-its/