Nissan Reveals Fuel Efficient ECO Pedal System

For a car only available in Japan (for now), a car called the Nissan Fuga, Nissan has created a system called ECO Pedal, a system that'll improve fuel efficiency anywhere from five to ten percent. How does this pedal work, you might ask? It provides resistance so that the user will be less inclined to press it all the way down. But there's more, right? It can't just be harder to press down the gas pedal, right? There's just a little bit more, it's not just a brick under your pedal, but essentially it's just a system that suggests you be more sensible about how hard your pressing the gas. I know more than a couple people who could use this.

Nissan explains that when the pedal is pressed (so long as the ECO Pedal system is activated), the system counteracts with a pedal push-back control mechanism which helps drives be more fuel efficient. I'd hate to see what will happen if these malfunction on the highway. Woops! Check out the full press release below:

Nissan Licenses ECO Pedal Technology to Mikuni

YOKOHAMA (November 16, 2010)–Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., today announced it will license its ECO Pedal technology to Mikuni Corporation.

Nissan developed the ECO Pedal system, the world's first technology of its type to assist drivers in fuel efficient driving, and commercialized it for the Nissan Fuga, which was launched in 2009.

When the ECO Pedal system is on, each time the driver exerts excess pressure on the acceleration pedal, the system counteracts in advance with a pedal push-back control mechanism (tactile indicator) to support drivers for more effective, fuel-efficient driving. Studies show that effective eco-driving behavior with ECO Pedal drive assist contributes to improve fuel efficiency from 5 to 10% (based on internal measurement) in many driving conditions.

Mikuni jointly developed the ECO Pedal system with Nissan for Fuga. Through the licensing agreement, this technology will be available for sale to other companies.

Nissan will contribute to the growth of technology through its efforts to promote the application of its unique technologies and know-how, not only for its own use, but also in a variety of fields. Profit generated through the effective utilization of such intangible assets will be used for investing in new technology development, further contributing to Nissan's technological competence.

The licensing of the ECO Pedal technology is an example of these efforts. Nissan will promote the wide-spread application of this system to lower price and increase adoption to a wide range of vehicles including those of other automakers. Nissan is committed to developing and promoting the wide-spread application of eco-friendly technologies, and continues to invest in the development of technologies to improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions, and hopes to play a role in the development of a sustainable society.

* Mikuni Corporation: Comprehensive auto parts manufacturer producing and marketing automobile products, care/welfare equipments and gas appliances/humidifiers.