Mayor announces electric car partnership
Nissan to introduce zero-emission vehicles to Seattle in 2010
SEATTLE - Mayor Greg Nickels announced today that the City of Seattle and Nissan North America will work together to promote the development of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.
“From light rail to street cars to electric vehicles, we’re reducing the impact of transportation on our climate,” said Nickels. “Electric-powered transportation is particularly attractive in a city with a carbon-neutral utility, generating clean electricity through hydropower.”
Nissan has selected the Seattle-area as one of the first regions in the country to introduce a pure electric five-passenger hatchback in 2010. The vehicle will go 100 miles on a single charge and will charge in four to eight hours using a 220-volt line, similar to what’s used for a dryer or hot tub. A home charging unit would be hard-wired in a garage and installed by an electrician. Nissan is also working to foster the development of quick-charging, which will fully charge the vehicle in about 26 minutes.
“We want to encourage consumers to consider an electric vehicle as an attractive choice that is also good for the environment,” said Mark Perry, director of product planning and strategy for Nissan North America.
Under a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding, the city and Nissan will work together to promote electric vehicles in Seattle. Nissan’s role includes:
- Make all efforts to supply electric vehicles in Seattle.
- Establish teams of governments, businesses and nonprofits to propose a battery-charging network across the Seattle area.
- Promote electric vehicles.
Seattle will pledge to help consumers who purchase electric vehicles get permits quickly for installing home charging stations. Also, the city intends to: - Consider offering incentives to owning an electric car.
- Consider establishing incentives for a network of charging stations across the Seattle area.
- Consider leasing or buying Nissan electric vehicles for the municipal fleet.
The city’s partnership with Nissan is not exclusive.
“This announcement by Mayor Nickels and Nissan is an important step forward in bringing the cars of tomorrow here today,” said Gregg Small, executive director of Climate Solutions. “Electric cars can play a powerful role in supporting energy independence and curbing climate change.”
Nissan has entered into similar partnerships in Tennessee, Oregon, Sonoma County, San Diego, Phoenix and other jurisdictions.
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