The Renault-Nissan Alliance (Renault-Nissan), an alliance between Renault SA and Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (Nissan), has announced that Nissan and Reliant Energy, Inc. (Reliant Energy), a subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG), have forged an agreement to advance zero-emission mobility in the US. The announcement helps pave the way for the 2010 introduction of Nissan LEAF, the first all-electric, zero-emission car designed for the market. The company expects to begin sales in late 2010.
Nissan President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Carlos Ghosn announced the agreement at the kickoff of the Nissan LEAF Zero-Emission Tour, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, marking the first North American appearance of Nissan LEAF.
The vehicle debut was followed by a panel discussion representing the key interests of the environmental, energy and air-quality communities. Participants included Ghosn, Mary D. Nichols, chairman, California Air Resources Board; David Crane, president & CEO of NRG; and Patricia Monahan, deputy director, clean vehicles program and director of the California Office, Union of Concerned Scientists.
“The Renault-Nissan Alliance has committed to becoming a global leader in zero emissions,” said Ghosn, who also is chairman and CEO of Renault. “Together, Nissan and Reliant Energy share the vision that electric vehicles offer the best solution to reducing CO2 emissions. The Nissan LEAF is the only all-electric, zero-emission vehicle that will be available to drivers on a mass-market scale and at an affordable price.”
As part of the agreement, Nissan and Reliant Energy 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 companies 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 to Reliant Energy and in its areas of operation.
“This agreement with Nissan is another part of our comprehensive effort to speed up the adoption of broad-based electric-powered transportation ecosystem,” said David Crane.
“We can now see a clear path to having thousands – even hundreds of thousands – of zero-emission vehicles on Texas roads in the next several years,” said Jason Few, president of Reliant Energy.
The Los Angeles debut marked the first stop on a nationwide tour of LEAF. The Nissan LEAF Zero-Emission Tour will make stops in 22 cities, in 11 states, the District of Columbia, and Vancouver, Canada, offering the opportunity for interested drivers, media, civic partners, businesses and university students to learn more about Nissan LEAF and the benefits of zero-emission driving. Los Angeles-area stops also include Santa Monica, Glendale and the University of Southern California campus.
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. Through the Nissan LEAF Zero-Emission Tour, Nissan will be showcasing the electric vehicle and battery technology as well as the company’s zero-emission mobility objectives. Nissan is also furthering the development of an electric-vehicle infrastructure through agreements with the State of Tennessee, the State of Oregon, Sonoma County, San Diego, Phoenix, Tucson, Washington D.C., Seattle, Raleigh, Vancouver, and Mexico City.