The memorandum of understanding (MoU) brings together representatives from each organization to identify opportunities to promote the use of zero-emission vehicles in GuangDong Province. The DRC of GuangDong Province is the second local government in China to sign MoU with the Alliance after the Wuhan Municipal government.
"China has the great potential for electric vehicles as the government is very serious to promote the zero-emission societies," said Noboru Tateishi, Program Director, Global Zero Emission Business Unit of Nissan. "We continuously talk with the local governments to spread our EVs into the Chinese market," Tateishi continued.
Marking its tenth anniversary this year, the Renault-Nissan Alliance is leading a collaborative approach with both business and governments and has signed more than 30 other agreements worldwide with partners to launch its first electric vehicle starting 2010 in Japan, the U.S. and Europe, and to bring it in the Chinese market in the early 2011.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and the City of Saitama signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly embark on the E-KIZUNA Project, aimed at creating a sustainable low-carbon society.
The zero-emission partnership will initiate a joint-study to implement all the necessary conditions for the mass introduction of electric vehicles, primarily focused on the following areas.
1) Charging Infrastructure
1. Build a network of charging stations in the city
2. Study the deployment of IT Connectivity for real-time information about charging infrastructure availability
3. Further development to improve charging technology
2) Create vehicle demand and provide incentives
1. Promote the use of EVs for commercial fleets
2. Introduce special incentives for EVs for the commercial sector
3. Promote car-sharing with EVs
3) Implement community-based educational programs
1. Organize EV test-drive events
2. Develop educational brochures to public awareness
3. Organize educational briefings at elementary and junior high schools levels
Saitama City Mayor Shimizu said, "Through partnership with Nissan, we hope the E-KIZUNA Project can become the model for a low-carbon society. This project aims to create not only a sustainable society, but also a comfortable living environment in the city. We are committed to make E-KIZUNA a success."
"Mass adoption of electric cars is key to creating a sustainable low-carbon society and it is essential for us to work with public and private stakeholders to achieve success," said Toshiyuki Shiga, Nissan Chief Operating Officer. "Nissan is pleased to contribute to the E-KIZUNA Project and together, we hope to create a truly modern and mobile society with zero emissions."
The Renault-Nissan Alliance aims to be a global leader in zero-emission mobility. To-date the Alliance has signed zero-emission partnerships with more than 30 governments, municipalities and companies worldwide. Nissan will introduce the LEAF electric car in Japan, the United States and Europe in 2010 followed by global mass marketing in 2012.
E-KIZUNA Project: The City of Saitama and Nissan will work together to promote the mass adoption of zero-emission vehicles. The project will engage various institutions and organizations to create a sustainable low-carbon society that will contribute to Japan’s commitment to reduce greenhouse emissions.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced it will start registration for domestic handraisers for its EV, Nissan LEAF, to be released in late 2010, on the Internet on November 5. This precedes accepting pre-orders starting from early 2010.
Those who registered will be able to receive information on LEAF through e-mail delivery and participate in EV test-drive events scheduled to be conducted (when the number of applicants exceeds the capacity, participants will be chosen by lottery). In addition, they have priorities for the delivery of LEAF after its release in late 2010.
Website for registration for handraisers@(Japanese only): http://www.nissan.co.jp/LEAF/REGISTRATION/
Nissan LEAF: Carrying a message, "a new era of mobility – the zero-emission era", the new Nissan LEAF is an EV offering both driving pleasure and environmental performance. Displayed at the Tokyo Motor Show closed on November 4, Nissan LEAF was a fruit of many years of research and development efforts based on Nissan’s epoch-making zero-emission vision for the future. Nissan LEAF will be launched in North America, Japan, and Europe in late FY2010.
Automakers Nissan Motor and Renault plan to build a plant in France to produce batteries for electric vehicles by 2012. The Japanese business daily Nikkei reported that the planned plant would have an annual capacity of enough batteries for around 60,000 cars. As part of the plan to supply batteries for Renault’s electric vehicles, Nissan will invest around 50 billion yen ($550 million) to upgrade supply capacity in Japan and build the new plant. Japan’s Nissan and France’s Renault have been working as partners since March 1999, with global sales amounting to 6 million vehicles in 2008 and representing 9.4 percent of the world market.
www.nissan-zeroemission.com/EN/
