Let the Sniping Begin! Nissan Says London Olympics Committee Snubbed EVs

Let the Sniping Begin! Nissan Says London Olympics Committee Snubbed EVs

By John O'Dell November 27, 2009

Does Choice of BMW as 2012 Games' Auto Supplier Set Back Electrification Efforts?

The London Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games was likely thinking more of image than energy when it made its choice, but picking BMW as the preferred automotive supplier for the 2012 Olympic Summer Games and passing on Nissan's offer to supply Leaf electric cars isn't sending a particularly clean and green message to the rest of the world, the Japanese automaker says.

A report in Britain's Autocar relays the complaint from an unnamed "senior source" at Nissan, who told the magazine that the BMW selection was a step backward for efforts to build an electric vehicle charging infrastructure in London.

The Nissan source ("senior" is journalistic code for an executive of some sort) is quoted as saying that Nissan doesn't have an issue with BMW getting the contract but feels the organizing committee has missed out "on a golden opportunity to kick-start a proper electric infrastructure in London."

Nissan's bid would have put 2,000 Leaf EVs - half the official fleet - into service hauling Olympians, dignitaries and other VIPs around London during the 2012 Games.

The insider told Autocar that Nissan's bid would have meant an Olympic fleet average CO2 emissions level of 60 grams per kilometer, versus the 120 grams per kilometer the BMW fleet will deliver.

Granted, it would have been nice to see a lot of EVs on the prowl during the Olympics, but BMW isn't exactly a coal-burning anachronism.

What's not explored in the article is whether BMW might have an EV of its own to use by then - a city car based of what the company's learning from its present test fleet of Mini Es. Also unknown is whether any of BMW's near-zero emissions Hydrogen 7-Series sedans will be in the fleet.

We'll keep you posted as things develop.

John O'Dell:  is an AutoObserver Senior Editor. Follow @AutoObserver on Twitter.