RENAULT-NISSAN ALLIANCE FORMS ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLE PARTNERSHIP WITH STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS
BOSTON (Feb. 9, 2010) - The Renault-Nissan Alliance
today announced that Nissan is entering into an agreement with the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts to advance zero-emission mobility throughout the state by
promoting the development of an electric-vehicle charging network and policies
to support widespread adoptions of electric cars. The announcement was made at
the Museum of Science in Boston, a stop on the Nissan LEAF Zero Emission Tour, and
helps pave the way for the 2010 introduction of Nissan LEAF, the industry's
first all-electric, zero-emission car designed for the mass market.
"The Renault-Nissan Alliance has committed to
becoming a global leader in zero emissions," said Carlos Tavares, Chairman,
Nissan Americas. "Zero-emission mobility is the ultimate solution for
addressing questions of climate change and energy independence. We applaud the
State of Massachusetts for leading the way for the reduction of greenhouse
gases. We are looking forward to bringing the Nissan LEAF, the only
mass-marketed all-electric zero-emission car at an affordable price, to Massachusetts."
As part of the agreement, Nissan and the State of
Massachusetts will develop plans to promote a charging infrastructure for
electric cars that encourages home and workplace charging, as well as a public
charging infrastructure. The partners will work to coordinate the establishment
of policies and help streamline charging infrastructure deployment. Nissan also
has agreed to make available a supply of electric vehicles statewide.
The agreement is part of the Commonwealth's broad
initiative to encourage development and deployment of electric-vehicle technology,
consistent with its leading commitment to greenhouse-gas emission reductions.
"Electric-vehicle technology is a significant way
to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and expand our clean energy economy," said
Energy and Environment Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles. "We look forward to the
day when it's just as routine - or more so - to plug in the car for recharging
as it is to fill up the gas tank."
Nissan, along with alliance partner Renault, is the
only automaker committed to making all-electric vehicles available to the mass
market on a global scale.Nissan LEAF, a
five-passenger all-electric car, will be available for private and fleet
customers. It is being launched in the U.S., Japan and Europe in late 2010.
Nissan has spearheaded a holistic approach to
zero-emission mobility by working with states, municipalities, utility
companies and other partners, to prepare markets and infrastructure. Nissan has
formed more than a dozen partnerships in the United States, in areas including
State of Tennessee, the State of Oregon, Sonoma County, San Diego and San
Francisco in California, Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz., Washington D.C., Seattle, with
the City of Orlando and Orlando Utilities Commission, with Progress Energy in
Raleigh, N.C., and with the City of Houston and Houston-based Reliant Energy.
Nissan also is working with AeroVironment for the supply and installation of
home charging stations, creating a one-stop shop for the Nissan LEAF and its
charging equipment.
Through the 24-city Nissan LEAF Zero-Emission Tour,
which stopped in Massachusetts today, Nissan has been showcasing the electric
vehicle and battery technology as well as the company's zero-emission mobility
objectives.
Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive
design, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing,
distribution and manufacturing. Nissan
is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010,
whose key priorities are reducing emissions, cutting other emissions and increasing recycling. More
information on the Nissan LEAF and zero-emission mobility can be found at www.nissanusa.com/leaf-electric-car
Renault-Nissan
Alliance
The
Renault-Nissan Alliance has begun zero-emission vehicle initiatives in Kanagawa
Prefecture and Yokohama in Japan, as well as in Mexico, Israel, Denmark,
Portugal, Monaco, the UK, France, Switzerland, Ireland, China and Hong Kong. The Renault-Nissan Alliance, founded
in 1999, sold 6,085,058 units in
2009. The objective of
the Alliance is to rank among the world's top three vehicle manufacturers in
terms of quality, technology and profitability.
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