Portugal receives the first European LEAFs

Portugal has become the first European country to receive the Nissan Leaf. In a ceremony in Lisbon, the Portuguese electric mobility consortium MOBI.E received nine units of the world's first mass-market 100% electric vehicle.

Carlos Tavares, Executive Vice-president Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Pierre Loing, Vice President Product Strategy & Planning Nissan International SA and Diogo Jardim, Country Director Nissan Iberia SA handed the keys of the nine LEAFs to the CEO's of the nine companies belonging to the consortium in a ceremony that took place at the Pavilion of Portugal at Parque das Nações, in Lisbon.

On behalf of MOBI.E, João Dias congratulated the companies who worked on the development of the consortium for the charging network and underlined its importance for the affirmation of the electric vehicle. “With MOBI.E - the most advanced and intelligent solution for charging worldwide - the incentives and legal frame as defined by the Government, Portugal brings together all the essential conditions to become the first Living Lab for electric vehicles", said João Dias, on behalf of MOBI.E,” said Dias.

Prime Minister José Sócrates received a set of keys on behalf of his Government. A Nissan LEAF will be used by the Portuguese Government for test-drive purposes.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister of Portugal congratulated his country for the work done in the search for a sustainable future.

"We are extremely pleased to be introducing the electric vehicle in Portugal. After 3 years of collaborative work between the Government, public entities, the corporate consortium which developed the MOBI.E solution and Nissan, we have achieved the first smart, built-in charging network on a national scope, therefore we are the first country to welcome electric vehicles. By combining in a pioneer manner our commitment to renewable energies, the implementation of the smart charging network and the introduction of electric vehicles, Portugal will be in the lead of the transition to a more sustainable future."

In November 2008 Portugal became the first country in Europe to establish a direct electric vehicle partnership with the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Allying with Nissan and Renault, Portugal agreed to build a widespread recharging network in the country and to promote the benefits of zero emission mobility. MOBI.E is installing the recharging network that has already charging points installed in 25 cities across the country. Until the summer of 2011 the consortium will install 1,300 normal chargers and 50 fast chargers.

"Today marks the start of a zero-emission mobility era in Portugal, one of the first countries in the world to adopt a nationwide electric mobility policy. We are honoured to be part of this new chapter in Portugal's history with the 100% electric Nissan LEAF.