RALEIGH, N.C., May 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Renault-Nissan Alliance, today announced that Nissan is forming a partnership with Progress Energy of Raleigh, N.C., and the Raleigh-based nonprofit agency Advanced Energy, to advance zero-emission mobility by promoting the development of an electric vehicle (EV) charging network. Nissan will introduce zero-emission vehicles in the United States in 2010, starting with a 5-passenger compact vehicle that will have a range of 100 miles on a single charge.
The announcement coincides with the Raleigh 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, is committed to being a global leader in zero-emission vehicles," said Dominique Thormann, senior vice president, administration and finance, Nissan North America. "Our partners in Raleigh share our goals of working together towards making the region plug-in ready for the introduction of electric vehicles next year. This partnership is an important step in making zero-emissions mobility a reality."
The partnership supports the City of Raleigh's mission and environmental goals. "We are delighted to be working with Progress Energy, Advanced Energy and the Renault-Nissan Alliance on this project," said Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker. "We take a great deal of pride in being a leader in the region in preparing for the plug-in electric car era. The City of Raleigh is a founding member of the Triangle Clean Cities Coalition. By providing the infrastructure and encouragement for the use of alternative- fuel vehicles, we're in complete concert with both the mission statement of the City and our goal of reducing emissions for a cleaner environment."
As part of the agreement, Nissan and its partners will develop plans to promote a charging infrastructure for EVs, as well as the deployment, operation and maintenance of a charging network. The partners also will work to coordinate the establishment of policies and help streamline the deployment of an EV infrastructure. Nissan also has agreed to make available a supply of EVs to Progress Energy.
"Progress Energy is proud to partner with Nissan and the City of Raleigh on preparing the way for this innovative technology," said Bill Johnson, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Progress Energy and co-chair of the Edison Electric Institute's CEO Taskforce on Electric Transportation. "We already have one of the nation's largest utility plug-in hybrid electric vehicle programs because we believe that electric vehicles and other alternative energy technologies are critical parts of confronting the new energy realities: growing customer demand, high fuel costs and global climate change. Electric transportation technology will save our customers money and help us all protect our environment."
Advanced Energy will facilitate working teams made up of governmental and non-governmental agencies as well as private partners to work towards achieving the common goals as well as provide testing and validation of related charging infrastructure and charge management technologies.
"Advanced Energy is proud to partner with Nissan, the City of Raleigh and Progress Energy on this exciting initiative," said Jeff Barghout, director of transportation initiatives at Advanced Energy. "We are currently working to develop and deploy the infrastructure needed to support electrified transportation in Raleigh. This partnership is well aligned with the NC Get Ready program- a new initiative, supported by a consortium of cities, government officials, industry leaders and nonprofit organizations to create positive social, environmental and economic benefits for North Carolina by accelerating the transition to electrified transportation."
The 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, Sonoma County and San Diego in California, Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz., and Seattle.
Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010, whose key priorities are reducing CO2 emissions, cutting other emissions and increasing recycling. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.infinitiusa.com.
Renault-Nissan Alliance
The Renault-Nissan Alliance, founded in 1999, sold 6,160,046 vehicles in 2007. The objective of the Alliance is to rank among the world's top three vehicle manufacturers in terms of quality, technology and profitability.
Progress Energy
Progress Energy (NYSE: PGN), headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., is a Fortune 500 energy company with more than 21,000 megawatts of generation capacity and $9 billion in annual revenues. Progress Energy includes two major electric utilities that serve approximately 3.1 million customers in the Carolinas and Florida. The company has earned the Edison Electric Institute's Edison Award, the industry's highest honor, in recognition of its operational excellence, and was the first utility to receive the prestigious J.D. Power and Associates Founder's Award for customer service. The company is pursuing a balanced strategy for a secure energy future, which includes aggressive energy-efficiency programs, investments in renewable energy technologies and a state-of-the-art electricity system. Progress Energy celebrated a century of service in 2008. Visit the company's Web site at www.progress-energy.com.
Advanced Energy
Advanced Energy is a Raleigh, N.C.-based nonprofit committed to a future in which energy needs are met at reasonable costs and with the least negative consequences. The organization continues to work collaboratively to demonstrate that industry, government and nonprofits can successfully work together to improve the environment and encourage the economy. For almost 30 years, Advanced Energy has created economic, environmental and societal benefits through innovative and market-based approaches to energy issues. Advanced Energy's transportation team has established itself as an expert in the electric transportation field through such initiatives as the Hybrid-Electric School Bus Project and NC Get Ready. The team provides technology verification, demonstration and implementation services as well as decision support to clients including private industry, electric utilities and government agencies. For more information, visit www.AdvancedEnergy.org.
SOURCE Nissan North America, Inc.
