Renault-Nissan Alliance Signs Zero-Emission Partnership in Vancouver

VANCOUVER , Oct. 6 /CNW/ - The Renault-Nissan Alliance, the Province of British Columbia, the City of Vancouver and BC Hydro announced today a partnership that will see British Columbia become the initial launch point for Nissan's Canadian zero-emission transportation program.

British Columbia is scheduled to be the first Canadian province to receive the Nissan LEAF, Nissan's first all-electric real-world car, in 2011, in advance of global distribution in 2012.

"Agreements like this one with the Renault-Nissan Alliance are an important step in making climate-friendly transportation a lifestyle choice for all British Columbians," said Blair Lekstrom, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Province of British Columbia. "Electric vehicles, fuelled by clean, renewable energy resources, will help us achieve a low carbon transportation future."

The memorandum of understanding brings together representatives from each organization to identify opportunities to promote the use of zero-emission vehicles in Vancouver and other areas in B.C. Discussions will also explore the establishment of charging infrastructure in Vancouver .

"Today is an exciting day for Nissan Canada as we announce an important step in making electric vehicles a reality in the Canadian market," said Mark Grimm , President of Nissan Canada Inc. "We have the technology for zero-emission mobility without compromise and working with important partners like those signing this agreement is a critical step in this evolution."

"Moving towards a zero-emission mobility program gets Vancouver closer to our goal of becoming the world's greenest city," said Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson . "We've moved very aggressively to bring in electric vehicle charging infrastructure regulations for Vancouver that is a first for North America . The City will need electric vehicles to charge on that new infrastructure. We are very pleased to be the first Canadian municipal partner of Nissan, a global leader in electric-vehicle technologies."

The agreement also supports an application to the federal government's Clean Energy Fund for a charging infrastructure pilot program planned by the Province, BC Hydro and the City of Vancouver .

"We continue to work with industry and government partners to ensure British Columbia is ready for the introduction of electric vehicles," said Bob Elton , President and CEO of BC Hydro. "We are building a conservation culture in B.C. which includes not only the efficient use of electricity but also the protection of air quality."

The agreement adds B.C. to a growing network of zero-emission vehicle initiatives across the world. The Renault-Nissan Alliance has formed partnerships with 30 governments, cities and other organizations to advance the deployment of electric vehicles worldwide.

Images of LEAF can be found at www.media.nissan.ca.

LEAF B-Roll is available upon request.

About Nissan Canada Inc.

Nissan Canada Inc. (NCI) is the Canadian sales, marketing and distribution subsidiary of Nissan Motor Limited and Nissan North America , Inc. With offices in Vancouver (BC), Mississauga (ON), and Kirkland (QC), NCI directly employs 250 full-time staff. There are 150 independent Nissan dealerships and 29 Infiniti retailers across Canada . Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010, whose key priorities are reducing CO(2) emissions, cutting other emissions and increasing recycling. More information about Nissan in Canada and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.nissan.ca and www.infiniti.ca.

Renault-Nissan Alliance has begun ZEV initiatives in Kanagawa Prefecture and Yokohama in Japan , as well as in Israel , Denmark , Portugal , Monaco , the UK, France , Switzerland , Ireland , China and Hong Kong . In the United States , the Alliance is exploring ways to promote zero-emission mobility and the development of an EV infrastructure in the State of Tennessee, the State of Oregon, Washington, DC , Sonoma County and San Diego in California, Tucson and Phoenix in Arizona, Seattle in Washington and Raleigh in North Carolina.

About BC Hydro

BC Hydro is a commercial Crown corporation owned by the Province of British Columbia. BC Hydro is one of North America's leading providers of clean, renewable energy and the largest electric utility in British Columbia, serving approximately 95 per cent of the province's population and 1.8 million customers.

About the City of Vancouver

Vancouver is consistently rated one of the most livable cities in the world. The city of Vancouver is known for its breath-taking natural environment, diverse communities, and commitment to the values of innovation, sustainability, inclusivity and accessibility, Vancouver is the Host City for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Vancouver's goal is to become the world's greenest city by 2020. Vancouver is well on the way to being a plug-in friendly city. The City is changing its building and parking bylaws to allow for vehicle charging points. Vancouver already allows slower-moving electric cars on most streets.

About the Province of British Columbia

British Columbia is a leader in climate change solutions, and the increased use of plug-in electric vehicle technology is part of a broader sustainable energy strategy that is helping the Province of British Columbia reach its goal of curbing greenhouse gas emissions by 33 per cent by 2020. In addition, plug-in electric vehicles, fueled by B.C.'s clean energy resources, support the Province's goal of reducing the carbon intensity of transportation fuels by 10 per cent by 2020.

http://www.energyplan.gov.bc.ca/

http://www.climateactionsecretariat.gov.bc.ca/

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information: Didier Marsaud, Nissan Canada Inc., p. [phone], e. [email protected]; Heather Meehan, Nissan Canada Inc., p. [phone], e. [email protected]; Simi Heer, BC Hydro, p. [phone], e. [email protected]; Corporate Communications, City of Vancouver, p. [phone]; Jake Jacobs, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, p. [phone], e. [email protected]