Nissan has invited around 500 people to come out and test its Leaf EV at its Oppama track in Japan. The invitees range from government officials to meidia to customers of the new car. Testing got underway today and will run until June 19.

Nissan also mentioned that the Leaf will feature a new “Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians” system that is designed to address growing concerns about the danger ultra-quiet hybrids and EVs pose to pedestrians.  At speeds below 16 mph, the system creates a series of high and low sounds through a computer, synthesizer and speaker. The system will also be a part of the Japan-spec Nissan Fuga Hybrid.

U.S. deliveries of the Leaf are set to begin late this year. [via InsideLine]

The MotoCzysz E1pc. It’s difficult to pronounce. It’s the world’s most advanced electric bike. It’s capable of speeds up to 140 mph. It packs 10 times the battery capacity of a Toyota Prius in its sleek, two-wheeled body. It just took on and won one of the world’s toughest, most dangerous races– the Isle of Man TT (electric bike race) today–with a time of 23 minutes 22.89, hitting speeds up to 135 mph. It narrowly missed out on a 10,000-euro prize for becoming the first electric bike to average 100 mph on the race course (averaged 98.973 mph). And you can get a taste of what it’s capable of in the video below.

Any questions? If so, you can read the full story of how this bike went from conception to race-ready over at Popular Science. Or just enjoy the surprisingly potent growl of the bike as it takes on the track downstairs. [via Dvice and iomtt.com]

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A new report on Autocar today indicates that Audi will be launching an A2 electric vehicle in 2012. While little is known about the car’s looks or powertrain, it’s expected to borrow the steel moncoque frame from the A1, replacing the expensive spaceframe construction of the first-generation A2.

The A2 electric will compete with the BMW Megacity, which is expected to launch in 2013. The all-electric Megacity is expected to get a 160-mile range. [via Autocar]

As expected, Toyota and Tesla announced a partnership yesterday that will be focused on developing future electric vehicle-building infrastructure and vehicles. Here’s the scant details we were able to glean from the back-patting quote-a-thon that was the story.

Toyota will invest $50 million in Toyota. Tesla has acquired Toyota’s recently closed NUMMI plant in Fremont, CA, and will open up production on its Model S sedan at the plant in 2012. The move could create as many as 1,000 jobs in the San Francisco area.

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Well here’s a partnership we could have seen coming. Tesla and Toyota have been respective leaders in electric cars and hybrids, and Tesla has mentioned its intention of working with other automakers in addition to building its own vehicles. Plus, they’re both T’s and who doesn’t love a good pair of T’s?

It’s hard to take anything the Governator says too seriously, but he’s the source of the San Francisco Gate’s article citing the new partnership, which will result in California-built electric cars. It’s supposed to be announced later this afternoon, so we’ll surely have more details then. Until then, you’ll have to daydream about what the T-T partnership will offer. [via SF Gate]

Isn’t it funny how solving one giant dilemma makes everyone feel good for a little while, then brings about an entirely new, possibly larger problem? Take electric vehicles and hybrids. You get to feel all fuzzy inside while driving one around, even while stacking piles of styrofoam coffee cups and old fast food cartons on the passenger-side floor. But, since the effeminate purr of your eco-mobile is nearly inaudible, it presents hazards to pedestrians and cyclists who may never hear you coming. Yeah, that could be worse than a little exhaust.

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IED/Tesla EYE Concept

The world has largely liked what it’s seen from Tesla. So far, that’s been the all-electric Roadster and Model S sedan. Tesla will slowly broaden its offerings with new models introduced between 2013 and 2014. Autoweek reports that an electric crossover will be among the first of those new models in 2013.

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Nissan and GE announced a partnership today in which the two companies will work together on charging station technology, which is sure to help advance the upcoming surge of EVs. Under the three-year agreement, the companies will work on smart charging stations designed to communicate with utility companies and ease the drain on the power grid.

Mark Little, GE’s director of global research, said of the partnership: “Together with Nissan, we will take a comprehensive look at what technologies will be needed in the car, on the grid, and at home or work to make smart charging a reality.” [via AutoNews]

GM is currently working on a new hydrogen fuel cell system that could be slotted into the same space as a four-cylinder engine. The system is said to be half the size of and 220 lbs. lighter than the system used for its Project Driveway Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell EVs. It also uses about a third of the platinum of the current system. The new system is being developed with the intent of production and could be ready to hit the lines by 2015.

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