Nissan Unveils Eco-Pedal

Nissan has unveiled Eco Pedal this week. The company says the system can help drivers improve fuel efficiency by 5 to 10 percent.

The pedal is designed to inform drivers when they are using more fuel than required. Each time the driver steps on the accelerator a counter push-back control mechanism turns on if the system detects excess pressure. An indicator also tells the driver real-time fuel consumption levels.

Last year, Nissan introduced a fuel efficiency gauge to give drivers more information on how their driving style directly relates to fuel economy.

The Eco Pedal system, which is planned to commercialize during 2009, can be turned on and off depending on the driver’s preference.

Earlier in the year, Nissan announced that it would increase production of its Altimas by 2,000, to about 17,000 monthly, and cut production of its sport-utility vehicles. Other efficient cars the company has plans for include a clean-diesel version of its popular Nissan Maxima in the US, and an electric car in the US and Japan in 2010.