The Portuguese Prime Minister is the First Head of State in the World to use an Electric Car

Prime Minister, Jose Socrates, said: ‘Portugal is extremely proud of the introduction of the electric vehicle. This initiative is only possible due the fast implementation and development of the Portuguese MOBI.E Charging Network, which is considered a leading example to the world of how to roll out electric cars. Portugal is the first country in the world to have a nation-wide smart grid for electric vehicles.’

The other cars will be purchased by nine companies of the technological consortium that developed the MOBI.E solution as a clear sign of the need for a transition to Electric Mobility.

The electric cars were delivered Carlos Tavares, Vice-President of Nissan, in a Ceremony that occurred in Parque das Nações, in Lisbon.

Portugal Pioneer on Electric Mobility

Portugal is the first country in the world to implement an electric vehicle charging network at a national scale. The MOBI.E network, which currently spreads over 25 municipalities throughout the country, displays over 50 charging points already installed growing to more than 1300 normal charging points and 50 quick charging stations by mid-2011.

It is the only truly integrated system in the world, focusing on the user and ensuring open-access and interoperability. Such approach has drawn interest from many countries to the MOBI.E Programme.

The MOBI.E charging network is thus the first electric mobility smart grid and has established itself as a world industry benchmark.

Portugal has therefore become the definite living lab for electric mobility, and is well on its way for a more sustainable oil-independent future.

MOBI.E and Renewables

By generating about 45% of total electricity consumption from clean energies, Portugal is in the forefront of the renewables challenge.

Electric vehicles symbiotically enhance the renewable energies potential since they may be regarded as a huge distributed storage system for renewable electricity generated during the night (mainly from wind turbines) which may be later reintroduced into the grid during the day at peak consumption times , thus increasing the overall energy efficiency of the national electric system.

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