Nissan has always been on the forefront of EV and hybrid vehicle design. Now, the company is introducing what they call a "Realistic EV" concept, which will debut at the upcoming Tokyo Auto Show.

The third-generation PIVO 3 EV is a tiny car that seats 3 people - one in the front and two in its rear. This small city car is built to easily get around metropolises, and hopes to contribute to smarter urban commuting. The auto maker feels a full-road-ready version will not be ready until 2016 or 2017 at the earliest.

"The car has a futuristic technology called Automated Valet Parking (AVP). This will allow the PIVO 3 to automatically drive, locate a parking space and park. However, for such a technology to actually work, it will require a smart parking infrastructure to support it."¹

Other key features of the PIVO 3 include: measurements of 9.84 ft in length, in-wheel motors to propel the car and an electric power 'by-wire' control technology. PIVO 3 can then charge itself as well, or sell excess energy to a smart grid. It can even return to the driver via a call from smartphone or mobile device. Sounds like Knight Rider territory!

Side-view monitors take the place of mirrors, minimizing blind spots, and utilizing Nissan's Around View Monitor system.

Nissan still offers the best hybrid and EV cars at Boardwalk Nissan, located at 1 Bair Island Road in Redwood City, CA 94063.

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