The news today (Sept 22) that the city of Amsterdam has become the latest zero-emission partner of the Renault-Nissan Alliance is indeed welcome and further evidence that the Alliance’s holistic approach to a zero-emission future is one that has broad appeal.
We now have worldwide partnership agreements in more than 20 countries and more than 30 cities where the administration is determined to do everything they can to ensure a cleaner, greener future for their citizens without having to sacrifice mobility. The countries include Portugal, Ireland, the US, China and many more.
Amsterdam is being particularly ambitious and has agreed with the Alliance that it wants to register at least 1,000 EV sales by the end of 2011. This will start with the Nissan LEAF from February for fleet customers followed by individual customers from June while Renault Fluence and Kangoo deliveries will start soon after.
The Alliance will also establish a sales and service network for its EVs in the Amsterdam area and is also joining forces with Amsterdam to run an Electric Mobility Education Program designed to promote the positive benefits of zero-emission travel.
With the Alliance’s support, Amsterdam is becoming a pilot project for the rest of the Netherlands. The city will provide several incentives to EV owners to stimulate demand, including free charging and parking at public posts until April 2012.
Since March 2009, businesses are also eligible for a subsidy from the city when purchasing an EV. With the addition of national incentives – such as zero vehicle registration tax and zero road taxes - the purchase price of Nissan LEAF will be below €30,000. This includes the battery.
Amsterdam already has 100 charging points and plans to install up to 2,000 from next year onwards, financed by the Air Quality Fund, which has received a substantial contribution from the government.
As Prince Maurits, chairman of the Netherlands’ Formula-e Team that is masterminding the switch to zero-emission mobility, put it providing the “the best possible conditions for electric cars” will convince automakers to introduce more EVs.
It’s a philosophy that has been behind the Alliance’s own drive to zero-emissions and one we welcome with the same enthusiasm we hope the Dutch will show.
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