Green News: Amsterdam To Go Green With Renault-Nissan

The City of Amsterdam has made a clear declaration that electric vehicles represent the future of transport in its busy city centre by signing a Definitive Agreement with the Renault-Nissan Alliance to encourage electric vehicles and promote zero-emission mobility.

Among the specific targets agreed by both parties today is a determination to register at least 1,000 EV sales by the end of 2011. As a first step to reaching that target, Nissan will deliver 100 Nissan LEAFs to fleet customers starting in February 2011. In June 2011, deliveries of the 100% electric, compact family zero-emission car will begin to individual customers. Deliveries of the Fluence Z.E. and Kangoo Express Z.E electric vehicles from Renault will start shortly thereafter.

Amsterdam has introduced several incentives in order to stimulate EV demand, including free electricity at public charging posts until March 2012, as well as free parking at such posts. Since March 2009, businesses are also eligible for a subsidy from the city when purchasing an EV. In addition, EV buyers benefit from national incentives, including zero registration tax and zero road tax. For businesses, that means Nissan LEAF is available for less than 30,000 euros, including the battery.

The City is already developing a comprehensive charging infrastructure to support EV customers. Almost 100 charging points have been installed in public areas since November 2009. Each point has at least one regular user. To meet growing demand for electric charging points, Amsterdam plans to install up to 2,000 additional charging points in the streets, car parks and Park and Ride sites. The extra charging points will be financed by the Air Quality Fund, with a substantial contribution from the government. Starting in 2011, Amsterdam will install a ‘Quick Charger’ in the city which is capable of up to 50kW and which can recharge a battery to 80 percent of its capacity in about 30 minutes. The City will also encourage the installation of private charging posts at companies.

As well as providing a supply of advanced EVs for purchase or lease and managing the Netherlands’ EV Pilot Programme, the Renault-Nissan Alliance will establish a sales and service network for the cars in the Amsterdam area.

The Alliance will also join forces with Amsterdam to run an Electric Mobility Education Programme designed to promote the positive benefits of zero-emission travel.

“Amsterdam and the Renault-Nissan Alliance are both frontrunners in electric mobility. It's not just drivers who will benefit from this agreement. In the end, the whole city will be better off with electric mobility,” said Maarten Linnenkamp, Air Quality Program Director for the City of Amsterdam.

“I hope that the rest of the country will follow the positive example that Amsterdam is setting and that we will see electric cars on the streets throughout the Netherlands soon. I am committed to providing the best possible conditions for electric cars in order to convince automakers to introduce such vehicles to this country,” said Prince Maurits, chairman of the Formula-E Team, a Dutch organization made up of representatives from the government, private companies and other areas aimed at promoting electric vehicles in the Netherlands.

“The Renault-Nissan Alliance is committed to bringing zero emission mobility to customers around the world with a full lineup of electric vehicles,” said Emmanuel Delay, Senior Vice President, Administration and Finance at Nissan International SA, Nissan Europe’s headquarters. “Starting next year, customers in Amsterdam will have a choice of three affordable 100% electric vehicles from the Alliance, starting with the five-seater Nissan LEAF which delivers the same performance, roominess, comfort, safety features and quality that people expect from Nissan – minus the tailpipe emissions.”

“With this agreement, Renault aims to create awareness with the City of Amsterdam about electric mobility in general,” said Jean-Paul Renaux, Managing Director of Renault Netherlands. “Renault is confident that this initiative for electric mobility in Amsterdam will be followed by other Dutch communities. We look forward to providing customers with electric cars that are as fun to drive as they are good for the environment, starting with the Fluence Z.E and the Kangoo Express Z.E. next year.”

Credits: wilswong