The Renault-Nissan Alliance and the Portuguese consortium MOBI.E Tech have partnered for the promotion of electric cars in Portugal.
Under a Letter of Intent (LOI), the two parties will study how to promote electric mobility using MOBI.E model, the user-friendly charging system being deployed by the consortium.
MOBI.E will include charging stations accessible to all electric car brands. The stations will be installed all over Portugal, in places such as public car parks, shopping centers, hotels, airports and gasoline stations. Electric car users will require only an identification card to access the network, regardless of the charging station location, providing a quick and seamless experience.
The network will have normal charging points which will be able to charge an electric car in 6 to 8 hours, using wind energy produced during the night, as well as rapid charging points which will charge an electric car in less than 30 minutes.
MOBI.E Tech is actively working towards deploying the MOBI.E model and underlying technology in other countries.
The LOI follows the Agreement signed between the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Portugal in 2008 for the implementation of a nationwide electric mobility program in the country. The agreement calls for 1,300 vehicle charging points by 2011 and the supply of electric cars by the Renault- Nissan Alliance, starting with the Nissan LEAF in December 2010.
Last week, Nissan announced that Portugal would be one of the two first countries in Europe to receive the all-electric compact family car in December.
Priced at 29,955 Euros (after 5,000 Euros in government direct incentives), the Nissan LEAF will come fully equipped with features such as air conditioning, satellite navigation, a parking camera, a quick charge socket and innovative smart-phone connectivity.