AutoNewscast.com

THE RENAULT-NISSAN ALLIANCE FORMS ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLE PARTNERSHIP IN SAN DIEGO SAN DIEGO

Posted on 23. Mar, 2009 by webmestre in North America, Uncategorized

THE RENAULT-NISSAN ALLIANCE FORMS ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLE PARTNERSHIP IN SAN
DIEGO
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (March. 23, 2009) – The Renault-Nissan Alliance
today announced that Nissan and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), the
utility company operating in the San Diego, Calif., region, are forming a
partnership to advance zero-emission mobility by promoting the development
of an electric vehicle (EV) charging network.

Nissan will introduce ZEVs in the United States in 2010 and will mass market
ZEVs globally two years later. The announcement coincides with the first
stop on a coast-to-coast tour of Nissan’s EV Prototype, a vehicle that’s
powered by Nissan’s lithium-ion battery pack and zero-emission electric
motor. While this vehicle does not represent the design of Nissan’s electric
vehicle that will be sold in 2010, the EV Prototype is an indicator of
what’s to come in zero-emission mobility.

“Nissan through the Renault-Nissan Alliance has committed to being a global
leader in zero-emission vehicles,” said Dominique Thormann, senior vice
president, administration and finance, Nissan North America. “Nissan and
SDG&E have a shared belief that the introduction and expansion of electric
vehicles is one of the best solutions to reducing CO2 emissions. This
partnership is an important step in making zero emissions a reality in San
Diego.”

As part of the agreement, Nissan will assist SDG&E in EV acquisition as well
as work with SDG&E to develop plans to promote a charging infrastructure for
EVs. Together, Nissan and SDG&E will form a working team with area agencies,
institutions and companies to work towards the implementation and
maintenance of a battery charging network and establish and support
education activities designed to promote the use of EVs.

“We are proud to be embarking on this clean transportation initiative with
Nissan,” said Debra L. Reed, president and chief executive officer of SDG&E.
“This collaborative effort is the first step in making San Diego ‘plug-in
ready.’ We’re excited about creating new job opportunities for our region
and furthering San Diego’s vision of being at the center of growth for clean
technologies.”

Lori Holt Pfieler, Mayor, City of Escondido and Chair, San Diego Association
of Governments; Stephen Cushman, Chairman of the Board of the Port of San
Diego; and SDG&E CEO Debra Reed joined Nissan representatives in announcing
the partnership at a ceremony at the Port of San Diego.

“SDG&E’s partnership with Nissan is another step toward making San Diego a
national center for clean technology and green practices,” said San Diego
Mayor Jerry Sanders. “The public and private sectors in this region are
working hand-in-hand to promote innovation and adoption of environmentally
friendly technologies.”

The Renault-Nissan Alliance has begun ZEV initiatives in Israel, Denmark,
Portugal, the Principality of Monaco, Kanagawa Prefecture and Yokohama city
(Japan), and has formed partnerships with the French electric utility
company EDF, the Swiss electric utility company Energie Ouest Suisse, the
private-car hire service “greentomatocars” (UK) and with zero-emission
transport system company “elektromotive” (UK). In the United States, the
Alliance has agreed to ZEV partnerships in the State of Tennessee, the State
of Oregon, Sonoma County, Calif., and Tucson, Ariz., to explore ways to
promote zero-emission mobility and the development of an electric-vehicle
infrastructure.
Source Nissan

Tags: Environment, EV, RENAULT-NISSAN, SAN DIEGO, Technology, ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLE