Rio de Janeiro Launches Public-private Partnership for Zero-emission Transportation

AsiaNet 53455

RIO DE JANEIRO, June 20, 2013 /PRN=KYODO JBN/ --

                Rio de Janeiro State Government signs multilateral memorandum

of understanding with Renault-Nissan Alliance, Petrobras Distribuidora, Light,

Ampla and Rio            

                Negocios to pave the way for electric vehicles

    A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed today among Rio de Janeiro

State Government and leaders from Brazil's public-private sectors to accelerate

zero-emission transportation in Rio de Janeiro. The partners for this historic

deal are Renault-Nissan Alliance, Petrobras Distribuidora, Light, Ampla and Rio

Negocios.

    As part of the MoU, the parties will study the possibility of producing

electric vehicles in the state, as well as the entire infrastructure necessary

for running such cars. The project is part of the Rio Capital Energy Program,

coordinated by the State Department of Economic Development, Energy, Industry

and Services of Rio de Janeiro.

    "We want to make sure Rio de Janeiro will be a world's reference in energy

for the twenty-first century, repeating the vocation that Rio already has in

the area of traditional energy," said the Secretary of the State Department of

Economic Development, Energy, Industry and Services, Julio Bueno, commenting on

the program.

    Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are currently rolling out pilot programs that

use the Nissan LEAF as part of the cities' taxi fleets.

    Renault and Nissan have been consistently committed to zero-emission

technology. The companies have invested EUR4 billion in the past two decades to

develop electric cars that consume no petroleum and can be recharged on pure

renewable energy.

    The first fully electric mass-produced vehicle to hit the market was the

Nissan LEAF, which debuted in December 2010. Renault recently launched the ZOE

subcompact and has a range of other zero-emission options including the Fluence

Z.E. sedan, the Twizy urban two-seater, and the Kangoo Z.E. van.

    The Renault-Nissan Alliance has sold nearly 100,000 zero-emission cars,

more than all other major automakers combined.

    "Renault-Nissan is in the vanguard of electric vehicles. This new

initiative reaffirms our global commitment to offering sustainable urban

mobility that is fun to drive," affirmed Carlos Ghosn, the Renault-Nissan

Alliance CEO during this morning's announcement.

    For the full press release, go to:

http://www.media.blog.alliance-renault-nissan.com/news/rio-de-janeiro-launches-public-private-partnership-for-zero-emission-transportation

    Contact:

    Marcelo Rodrigues

    Nissan Brazil

    Marcelo.rodrigues@nissan.com.br

    +55(21)2134-9192

    Caique Ferreira

    Renault Brazil

    caique.ferreira@renault.com

    +55(41)9648-6777

    SOURCE: Renault-Nissan Alliance