Today at SAE Convergence 2010 Conference and Exhibition, Microsoft’s Windows Embedded Automotive team announced that the new Windows Embedded Automotive 7 will power the touch-screen Information Hub for the 2011 Nissan LEAF electric car. The hub gives LEAF drivers and passengers a navigation system and electricity charging station locator. It also shares power consumption monitoring information with drivers and enables in-car climate monitoring.

Windows Embedded Automotive is the software platform that auto manufacturers and suppliers such as Ford, Kia, Fiat, Nissan, Alpine and Paccar are using to develop next-generation in-car infotainment systems in more than 80 vehicle models worldwide. Windows Embedded Automotive 7 supports speech commands, touch input, hands-free Bluetooth phone connectivity, dashboard access to music and maps, third-party applications, and connections to a wide variety of portable devices.

For more information on today’s news, read the press release here.