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Infiniti LE Electric Car Coming In 2014 With Wireless Charging

August 22, 2012 by 15 Comments
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Nissan’s grand experiment with electric cars doesn’t seem to be panning out as hoped. Leaf sales are slumping both here in America and abroad, and recent battery life issues have started cropping up in the hotter states.

But Nissan still has an ace up its sleeve; the Infiniti LE electric car, which should hit markets in the year 2014, and almost assuredly with wireless charging.

Premium Features, Premium Price

Having just driven 10 miles out of my way to plug into a solar-powered Level 2 EV charger, I can say with some degree of certainty that wireless charging will be a huge plus for electric cars. If Infiniti can be the first major auto makers to bring wireless charging to the EV market, it could really accelerate adaption among the wealthy masses.

When history looks back on this new generation of electric cars, I am certain that criticism will be level at automakers who put a premium price on a non-premium product. Why sell $35,000 Nissan based on a $15,000 chassis? The Chevy Volt is guilty of the same badging error. Instead, the Nissan Leaf should have been branded an Infiniti from the get go, and priced accordingly. The Volt should have been a Cadillac.

Wireless Charging For The (Well-Off) Masses

Well Infiniti already has a look and a date for their electric car, the LE (not to be confused with the more sporty Infiniti EMERG-E). What’s more, wireless charging seems to be all but confirmed at this point, adding another level of premium technology to this premium EV. Being able to just drive over a charging pad, without having to worry about plugging in, or being unplugged? That’s pretty sci-fi if you ask me.

Tesla has already proven that there is a market for high-end electric cars; can Nissan save its electric car program with a luxury EV and wireless charging?

Source: USA Today

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About Christopher DeMorro

Chris DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to HEMIs. You can follow his slow descent into madness and non-nonsensical ramblings on Twitter @harshcougar.

  • Marc P.

    I think the future of cars will be electric. That doesn’t that every company who’s focussing on going electric is doing it right. Nissan is a case in point. Too much, too little and too radical… all at the same time. I wish them well… but I think they got it all wrong. Time will tell.

    • Marc P.

      “That doesn’t MEAN that every company who’s focussing on going electric is doing it right.”
      Why is there no “edit” button…???

  • Turbofroggy

    Nissan has sold more pure EVs than every car maker in history combined. I think they are doing something right. They have such a huge lead on the EV market that I can see them remaining the #1 in zero emissions vehicles for a while.

    • Christopher DeMorro

      @Turbofroggy

      Nissan Leaf sales are less than half what they were last year. Car sales is a marathon, not a sprint, and it seems as though most early adapters already have EVs if they want them.

      Nissan has invested an estimated $4 billion into electric car development. I doubt they have made even 1/4 of that back.

      • Richard Solomon

        I have owned a Leaf since June 2011, and can say it might be the best car I’ve ever owned. It rides smoother and quieter than my Lexus RX400 or my Acura TL. And it starts faster than my BWM 328. My monthly electric bill is about $25-30. How does that stack up against any ICE car?

      • Grant

        The Leaf is sold all over the world, not just in the US. So when you say that sales are half what they were last year, you are just plain wrong. There is going to be a much larger marketing investment in the Leaf for the US once they start coming off the assembly line in Tennessee (and sales to match).

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  • Rick Green

    I’ve owned a Nissan Leaf since January 2012. It is an amazing vehicle. Nissan hit this one right on the head. My next vehicle will most likely be the Infiniti LE. I’ll probably never personally own another ICE car.

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  • http://www.myelectricfly.com/ Robert (Electricman) Weekley

    Wireless Charging is a great Addition! So long as it is an addition – like Leather seats, and not a replacement! It makes sense to add it to Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 Charging options already available on the Nissan LEAF.

    Give it Both CHAdeMO (http://www.chademo.com/) and SAE Combo Plug (http://ev.sae.org/article/11005) Access too – so it can fast charge at both of those Level 3 stations that are out now – and those that are coming!!

    Take it one step further – put some cash into Tesla Motors – like Toyota and Mercedes, with an agreement to access to the Supercharging Network, too! then you would have a true charge anywhere, at any rate, system! (Of course – it depends on battery chemistry, and size – controlling the liming charge rate factor.)

    I would love to report that story in my new blog – http://myplugshareblog.blogspot.ca/ as one of the new options coming to America!

  • jstack6

    more range, that’s what luxury buyers want. Look at Tesla who stopped selling the 40 kw 160 mile model and now only sell 240 and 300 since less than 4% picked the small pack.

    People don’t really need it but always want more,so give it to them and they will gladly pay.