Nissan Altra

The Nissan Altra was a electric car produced by Nissan Motors between 1998 and 2002. The Nissan Altra was introduced at the Los Angeles International Auto Show on 29 December, 1997.cite web|url=http://www.theautochannel.com/news/press/date/19971229/press008845.html|title=All-New Nissan Altra EV: A Friendly, High-Tech Electric Vehicle for Everyday Life|publisher=The Auto Channel|date=29 December, 1997|accessdate=2007-10-31] Nissan described the Altra as a combination of a sedan, SUV, and minivan.cite web|url=http://www.evworld.com/archives/testdrives/altra.html|title=California Commuter|publisher=EV World|accessdate=2007-10-31|date=|date=2001-01-31] It was mainly used as a fleet vehicle for companies such as electric utilities. Only about 200 vehicles were ever produced.cite web|url=http://jcwinnie.biz/wordpress/?p=1702|title=Nissan Altra Electric Retrieved from Vacaville|publisher=After Gutenberg|date=2006-07-02|accessdate=2007-10-31]

Technologically, the Altra was significant as being the first production electric vehicle to use a lithium-ion battery (li-ion) battery. Nissan called this a third-generation battery (after lead acid and nickel metal hydride) and chose li-ion primarily for its power density. The Altra had a permanent magnet synchronous motor, controlled by a 32-bit reduced instruction set computer computer processor. It had other more typical features, such as keyless entry, power mirrors and windows, a 4-wheel anti-lock braking system, and regenerative braking. According to Nissan, the Altra had a maximum range of 120 miles. The Environmental Protection Agency reported that the 2000 version had an adjusted mileage (miles per equivalent of a gasoline gallon) of 117 in the city, and 130 on the highway. [cite web|url=http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/16423.shtml|title=Gas Mileage of 2000 Nissan Altra EV|publisher=Environmental Protection Agency|accessdate=2007-10-31]

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