Nissan unveils ZEOD RC, World's fastest electric racing car at Le Mans

Nissan has unveiled the world's fastest electric racing car- ZEOD RC, which speeds of more than 300kmph with electric technology at the Le Mans 24 Hours. The ZEOD RC (Zero Emission On Demand Racing Car) will make its race debut at the next year's Le Mans 24 Hour. Nissan will trial variants of new electric drive train technologies as part of its intended future return to LM P1 competition to challenge for overall victory at the world's most prestigious endurance race.

Nissan's invitation from the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) to compete in the 2014 Le Mans 24 Hours was announced by Nissan Chairman and CEO, Carlos Ghosn in Japan in February. The car will compete under the ACO's ‘Garage 56' entry - an additional spot on the grid for vehicles that showcase new and innovative technology. The vehicle will run as a Nissan/Nismo full factory international program with input from Japan, Europe and the US, and its design team is headed by Ben Bowlby.

"Nissan has become a global leader in the development of zero emission automotive technology and the Nissan ZEOD RC will allow us to further develop those capabilities using the toughest endurance race in the world as a mobile test bed to test the potential of our planned LM P1 power train," said Andy Palmer, Executive Vice President and Executive Committee member at Nissan Motor Company Limited. "Nissan is already a global leader in the sale of all-electric cars and we're eagerly awaiting the opportunity to showcase the lessons learnt with the development of battery technology in the world's oldest, toughest and most high profile endurance race.

Nissan Leaf was launched in 2010, and it has become the world's best selling all-electric car. The Leaf won the 2010 Green Car Vision Award, the 2011 European Car of the Year, the 2011 World Car of the Year, and the 2011-2012 Car of the Year Japan. Nissan launched the Nissan Leaf RC in 2011 - a race car prototype powered by the same 107-hp electric motor that is used in the road car. While current battery technology does not provide the energy storage capacity to race a solely electric Le Mans prototype, Nissan ZEOD RC designer Ben Bowlby believes the development of the car will be an important step in the "electrification" of the racecars of the future.

Nissan will partner with French tyre manufacturer Michelin to develop tyres for the new prototypes. The Nissan ZEOD RC will make its testing debut later this summer. Nissan's assault on the 2013 Le Mans 24 Hour will again target victory in the P2 class with 15 of the 22 entries powered by Nissan. In the opening rounds of the 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship, Nissan has dominated, taking victory at Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps.