The Renault-Nissan Alliance has spent the past decade developing partnerships with cities worldwide on clean vehicle infrastructure. The 2010 release of the Nissan LEAF EV gives this alliance a new asset to sell to cities and public utilities interested in such partnerships. Renault-Nissan added yet another city to its growing list of partners last week. The city of Orlando and the Orlando Utilities Commission will work with Renault-Nissan on EV charging stations along with EV-friendly policies to ease restrictions to adoption of the Nissan LEAF.
The city of Orlando will work with Renault-Nissan and the Orlando Utilities Commission to create policies friendly to EV adoption. Given the nature of Renault-Nissan’s past partnerships, it seems likely that Orlando will offer free parking near EV charge points. The city of Orlando may also use special lanes within the city limits and local tax reductions to encourage early EV adoption.
The Orlando Utilities Commission has already taken steps toward wider adoption of EVs like the Nissan LEAF. The utility board recently installed two EV charging stations in downtown Orlando to accommodate a small number of EVs. Renault-Nissan also received a commitment for at least 10 Nissan LEAF purchases from the utility, which will use these EVs for service calls and demonstrations.
For its part, Renault-Nissan will work with the city and the utility commission on laying the groundwork for EV use. The Nissan LEAF EV will be offered to both bodies for fleet purchases and leases as soon as the first units roll off the production floor. Renault-Nissan will work closely with utility officials on public charge points that are accessible to the public. The ultimate goal for Renault-Nissan is to ensure simple charging at home, work and in public.
Renault-Nissan’s partnership with Orlando is a perfect opportunity to test out EVs from the alliance. Orlando is a heavily traveled city thanks to its proximity to Disney World and other tourist destinations. Traffic on nearby highways and side roads is heavy enough to give the Nissan LEAF EV a test of its durability. The city is also compact enough that the development of public charge points and other EV infrastructure will be manageable financially. We will see if Orlando and the Orlando Utilities Commission can adequately meet the needs of EV users as the Nissan LEAF hits the streets in 2010.
