Nissan and Europcar - the European leader in passenger car and light utility vehicle rentals - are forming a partnership to offer electric vehicles for hire to support zero-emission mobility on a global scale. This partnership between Europcar Groupe and Nissan is unique in the vehicle rental market and reinforces Europcar’s commitment to support greater awareness of environmental issues amongst its customers.

From 2010, electric vehicles will be rolled out for customers to hire in France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.  The fleet will be subsequently extended to other countries.

As a pioneer in the field of environmental matters, Europcar Groupe has already implemented numerous environmental initiatives within the scope of a Green Charter certified by Bureau Veritas in June 2008.

As Rafael Girona, Europcar Groupe’s Chief Operating Officer, explains, “This contract fits perfectly with the principles of our Green Charter and our policy to offer our customers a fleet with as limited an impact as possible on the environment. We will therefore give our customers the option of exploring a new means of mobility through the experience of using an electric vehicle in order to encourage them to become better eco-citizens.”

“Nissan through the Renault-Nissan Alliance has committed to being a global leader in zero-emission vehicles,” said Eric Nicolas, senior vice president, administration and finance, Nissan International SA. “Nissan and Europcar share the same belief that the introduction and expansion of electric vehicles is one of the best solutions to sustain the growing need for mobility across the globe.”

The Renault-Nissan Alliance will introduce zero-emission vehicles in the United States and Japan starting from 2010. The Alliance aims to take the leadership of zero-emission mobility in the automotive industry and will start mass-marketing electric vehicles globally in 2012. To date the Alliance has signed two final agreements in Europe, with Portugal and the Principality of Monaco. The two agreements formulate concrete proposals - ranging from incentives and infrastructures to education programs - creating the right conditions for mass availability and acceptance of electric vehicles.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance has begun Zero Emission Vehicles initiatives in Kanagawa Prefecture and Yokohama in Japan, as well as in Israel, Denmark, Portugal, Monaco, UK, France, Switzerland, Ireland, Hong Kong, Singapore, and China.

In the United States, the Alliance is exploring ways to promote zero-emission mobility and the development of an Electric Vehicles infrastructure in the State of Tennessee, the State of Oregon, Sonoma County and San Diego in California, Tucson and Phoenix in Arizona, Seattle in Washington,  and Raleigh, North Carolina.

The Alliance has formed partnerships with 27 governments, cities and other organizations to advance the deployment of EVs worldwide.