Having signed memorandums of understanding to promote the development of electric mobility in numerous countries and major cities around the world, the Renault-Nissan Alliance has now secured arguably its most high profile agreement yet – with the city of Barcelona, Spain.
The two organisations will work to promote the use of electric vehicles in the Catalan capital after Barcelona made environmental sustainability a key policy initiative through the use of renewable sources of energy and a reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Earlier this year, the city outlined its plans to implement a sustainable mobility programme through a scheme that would include tax breaks for electric vehicle buyers, dedicated electric vehicle zones and parking spaces. It also calls for the establishment of 191 charging points across the city by 2011.
The Renault-Nissan Alliance is well equipped to be at the forefront of steps towards electrification. At the Frankfurt Motor Show last month, Renault introduced four new electric vehicles that will enter the market between 2011 and 2013, while Nissan announced its LEAF electric vehicle back in August that is set to be launched in late 2010.
Indeed the Alliance can already boast a strong presence in Spain with Renault having announced the production of a fuel combustion engine and a full combustion vehicle in Castille and Leon. Its four plants in Spain feature solar panels which are said to save more than 160tons of CO2 every year.
Meanwhile, Nissan’s Zona Franca plant created the largest solar panel structure for industrial use in Spain and has cut CO2 emissions by 20 per cent. Last year, Nissan picked up the Carles Ferrer Salat Award which recognised its efforts to improve energy efficiency.
