The Renault-Nissan Alliance on Friday announced an agreement to assist the Chinese government in developing infrastructure for charging electric vehicles.
In recent months, the automakers have announced similar agreements for select locations in Asia, Europe and the U.S. But this deal is perhaps the most significant, giving the companies an early foothold for electric vehicles in the massive Chinese market.
Under an agreement with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China (MIIT), Nissan will provide electric vehicle (EV) information and propose a comprehensive plan, including a blueprint for a battery-charging network and programs for mass marketing EVs.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Nissan might also provide free electric vehicles to the municipal government of Wuhan, which is planned to be the pilot city for a zero emission mobility initiative.
The Chinese government is planning to roll out similar projects in 13 cities.
The Renault-Nissan Alliance, which aims to be the global leader in zero-emission mobility, will bring electric vehicles to China in early 2011. In 2012, Nissan and Renault plan to mass-market electric vehicles globally.
The Alliance has begun electric vehicle initiatives in Kanagawa Prefecture and Yokohama in Japan, as well as in Israel, Denmark, Portugal, Monaco, UK, France, Switzerland, and most recently Ireland.
In the United States, the Alliance is exploring ways to promote an EV infrastructure in the State of Tennessee, the State of Oregon, Sonoma County and San Diego in California, and Tucson, Arizona.
