First electric Nissan LEAF taxi arrives in Rome

OCT

2014

Renault-Nissan Alliance Team

First electric Nissan LEAF taxi arrives in Rome

Nissan and the taxi company Unione Radiotaxi of Rome are making electric vehicle history in Italy. For the first time in Italy two zero-emission, Nissan LEAF electric vehicles will operate in Rome as part of the Taxi 3570 fleet. The taxis will be supported by a unique mobile quick charging station, developed in conjunction with Nissan to provide ultimate flexibility.

"We are very proud to be the first in Italy to introduce zero-emission taxis with our Nissan LEAF. Thanks to our experiences abroad we have no doubt about this being the ideal vehicle for Taxi operators," said Bruno Mattucci, Nissan Italy Managing Director. "Moreover, the Nissan quick charging station makes battery recharging easy and convenient. With zero emissions and ultra-quiet running, electric taxis make life in the city better for citizens, tourists and taxi drivers."

Nissan LEAF has been in use as taxis across Europe in Lisbon, Amsterdam, Newcastle and Barcelona. Taxi Electric in the Netherlands have already covered over 1.5 million km on its Nissan LEAF fleet, with zero mechanical breakdowns or flat battery situations.

The goal of the partnership between Nissan and Unione Radiotaxi of Italy is to transform the taxi service in Rome, where traffic conditions are tough and the air quality poor, to be cleaner and more sustainable.

The agreement also includes the installation of a static Nissan CHAdeMO quick charging station in the HUB of Taxi 3570 at Fiumicino Airport. The CHAdeMO quick charger is able to recharge vehicles from 0% to 80% in less than 30 minutes.

The taxis are supported by an innovative mobile quick charging system, developed in conjunction with FCS Mobility - converting a Nissan NV400 into a mobile charging station. The unique van-based station has batteries on board to provide clean renewable power to the LEAF taxis in the city when necessary. With 130 lithium-iron-tetraphosphate batteries, holding 100 kWh of renewable solar energy, the CHAdeMO compatible NV400 conversion can charge one of the Taxi 3570's LEAF from 30% to 80% in just 15 minutes. Recharged using renewable sources, the NV400 conversion gives Taxi 3570 full freedom across Rome, where EV infrastructure is still in the development phase.