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Nissan touts electric cars with fleet for COP21

October 27, 2015

Nissan calls the concept its future vision of car intelligence and electrification. – AFP pic, October 27, 2015.The Renault Nissan Alliances seems to have perpetual energy when it comes to promoting electric cars. Fresh from providing electric car transport for the Champions League Final, the company is teasing a new electric concept car for Tokyo and has announced it will be providing 200 plug-in cars for delegates attending the United Nations COP21 conference in Paris.

Nissan has been sending out teaser images for an as yet unnamed concept car that will be seen in the flesh for the first time as the Tokyo motor show greets the world's press on Wednesday. Described simply as the company's "future vision of car intelligence and electrification," it is widely expected to offer the strongest clues yet as to what the next generation Leaf electric car will look like. And, potentially any autonomous or semi-autonomous features it might pack.

The Nissan Leaf and its sister car, the Renault Zoe (both the same once the badges are removed) is the world's most popular plug-in electric car. It may fall behind more exotic fare such as the Tesla Model S in terms of performance, range, comfort and cool, but it does win out on price and accessibility – it's on sale all around the world.

Nissan has spent most of the last 12 months actively marketing the benefits of going electric. It partnered with UEFA for the Champions League, installing charging points and offering a fleet of plug-in cars for the tournament's final in Berlin in May and is following it up by providing the world's largest electric-vehicle fleet – 200 cars both Renault and Nissan – for the United Nations COP21 conference in Paris, France on November 30.

The fleet will be used for transporting delegates to and from the event as a zero-emissions complement to public transport. And as well as cars, the company will be working with utilities companies to install 30 charging points.

"Electric vehicles are a practical and affordable mode of transportation. At the same time, they offer a solution for drastically reducing tailpipe CO2 emissions. They also reduce regulated exhaust pollutants, helping us to improve the air quality in our cities. Together, the public and private sectors can accelerate the transition to a zero-emission society," said Carlos Ghosn.

The company has also recruited 200 volunteer drivers from within its ranks to shuttle guests and to articulate to passengers the benefits of opting for a plug-in electric car.

"Renault and Nissan employees are at the forefront of the electric-vehicle revolution. Many of them already drive an electric vehicle. They are the best ambassadors to demonstrate the benefits of these cars and what zero-emission mobility is all about," said Ghosn. – AFP, October 27, 2015.