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PSA Peugeot Citroën: First electric vehicles to be deployed in Rennes

Over the years, PSA Peugeot Citroën (Paris:UG) has gained a worldwide reputation for its environmental leadership. In 2010, the Group sold nearly one million vehicles emitting less than 130 g/km of CO2 and is now the first European carmaker to market new-generation electric vehicles in Europe, following the late 2010 introduction of the Peugeot iOn and Citroën C-Zero.

In partnership with PSA Peugeot Citroën, the Brittany Region, the Rennes Métropole urban community and the Ille-et-Vilaine General Council have pledged their commitment to a trial EV programme to support the local automotive industry. The trial is part of the Green Vehicles for Brittany (Véhicule Vert Bretagne) project to encourage and nurture promising local initiatives that are responding to emerging needs for carbon-free mobility solutions.

This cooperative three-year programme is designed to develop the electric mobility market of the future.

In line with its long-standing commitment to Brittany, in particular through its Rennes La Janais plant, PSA Peugeot Citroën will supply up to 100 EVs for the programme. The Citroën C-Zero, Berlingo First Electrique, Peugeot IOn and Partner Origin Electrique models will allow companies, government agencies and households in the Rennes metropolitan area to try out a variety of new EV applications.
By taking part, local communities will help to spur the development of electric mobility alongside PSA Peugeot Citroën, a natural partner with deep roots in the region. The trial programme will also encourage innovation in services that support carbon-free mobility.

In particular, the trials will test the economic viability of the numerous and varied electric mobility business models.

Once confirmed, the following projects will be gradually deployed starting in the second half of 2011:

Service for Rennes suburbs to supplement existing forms of public transport.
Short and very short-term rentals at train stations and the airport.
Inclusion in light commercial vehicle fleets for urban and suburban deliveries.
Inclusion in a car-sharing fleet.
Inclusion in corporate fleets.
Creation of a shared inter-company fleet within a business district.
Inclusion in local government fleets.
Utilisation on the Rennes-Saint Malo route.
Testing of a shared fast charging station.

To facilitate the roll-out of these new applications, a network of charging stations will be installed by Rennes Métropole, which will serve as the pilot site for the national carbon-free vehicle project. In addition to regular charging stations, a network of fast-charging points where batteries can be recharged to 80% capacity in 30 minutes will also be tested.

Rennes Métropole is one of the 13 metropolitan communities that signed France’s national agreement on public recharging infrastructure on 13 April 2010.

www.psa-peugeot-citroen.com/