Cube-based Nissan EV Prototype

Somehow managing to give clarification to their future EV (Electric Vehicle) while still being wildly vague and ambiguous, Nissan is spreading the word that their upcoming 2010 EV will have “real” car diminsions.  Meaning it will be able seat 5 people in relative comfort, be the size of a current mid-size sedan and not cost much more than a typical vehicle. 

Nissan Mixim EV Concept

Beyond that, everything else is any one’s guess.  Not only is this Sentra-sized EV nameless, but Nissan hasn’t divulged how the expect keep costs so low while still employing all the traditionally expensive technologies that goes into a mass produced electric vehicle and achieve such un-EV-like size in the process.  Nissan openly admits that they do not expect to make a profit on the vehicle, however, given lagging sales across the entire car industry, one wonders if their philanthropic approach to still providing consumers a roughly $20,000 car is even feasible at this point.  Unlike other upcoming EV options such as the MiniEV or Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV, Nissan is approaching their vehicle’s development as if it is a family’s primary mode of transportation and not some sort of 2nd eco-car for mostly short, urban treks.