Now Control Nissan Leaf Functions with an Android and BlackBerry Phone

GM Chevrolet Volt's key competitor in the electric-vehicle market Nissan has launched an app for Android and BlackBerry phones for its all-electric car Leaf.

The app integrates with the CARWINGS system. The CARWINGS system allows a user to manage and control certain car functions directly from a computer or a smartphone.

Nissan LEAF's app allows users to check the state of battery charge, remotely start battery charge, provides statistics related to battery charge status, estimated driving range and climate control.

Nissan had released a similar app for Apple iPhones when the car was launched in the U.S. in December 2010.

Its key competitor in the EV market Chevrolet Volt also has a similar app called OnStar. The app for Chevrolet Volt enables users to get real-time information about the car's fuel economy when the gasoline engine is driving the generator when the battery goes flat, remote ignition, remote locking and unlocking of the doors and remote climate control.

OnStar app for Volt also delivers monthly diagnostic and maintenance reports related to the car reported WIRED. The app works on iPhone, BlackBerry Storm and Motorola Droid. PCWorld reported last year that GM's OnStar is using "Google technology" to develop a series of mobile applications for Volt. It was due to showcase the Android applications at Google's I/O conference.

Nissan's all-electric vehicle Leaf was released in the U.S. in 2010. Leaf offers a range of 100 miles on single charge and can reach speeds of up to 90 mph. It is priced at $26,000 after tax-credit.

Chevrolet Volt runs about 35 miles on a single charge and then its 1.4 liter gasoline engine generator kick in which generates electricity for up to 340 miles on full tank gas. Volt can hit a top speed of 100mph when running on battery. It is priced at $32,780 after the $7,500 tax credit.

The integration of telecommunications and informatics technology to develop apps to control various functions in cars is referred to as telematics.