Renault-Nissan and EDF signed a memorandum of understanding on October 9, 2008 aimed at making the electric vehicle a reliable, economical and attractive mobility solution.

The memorandum notably provides for the implementation, initially in France, of an “Electric Mobility Operator”. This entity will provide a complete nationwide infrastructure of recharging and battery-switch stations for electric vehicle drivers.

France will be one of the first markets to take delivery of the 100% electric vehicles designed by Renault-Nissan, along with Israel, Denmark, Portugal, the US state of Tennessee, and the Kanagawa district of Yokohama in Japan. All of these have announced partnerships with the Alliance.

The memorandum sets forth complementary roles for each party to ensure the success of the electric vehicle launch.

• Renault will be responsible for producing electric vehicles for private and professional customers from 2011. Electric versions of Mégane and Kangoo are being studied. In the long-term, Renault will sell a complete electric range.

• Nissan will provide the batteries to fuel these vehicles. Renault-Nissan will join forces to develop technology and sales and raise public awareness.

• EDF will set up the infrastructure of the Electric Mobility Operator, with particular responsibility for technical, legal and economic aspects.

In June 2009, EDF and Renault signed an agreement on a recharge system enabling communication between recharge terminals and electric vehicles, called “power line communication” (PLC). This EDF-developed technology ensures the secure exchange of data between recharge terminal and vehicle, including vehicle identification and billing details.

Renault will carry out integration tests of this system with its future vehicles. This is a concrete step forward that will contribute to the development of the electric vehicle market in France.

In addition, for one year from September 2010, consumers, professionals and local government employees located in Île-de-France region will try out 100 electric passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. Charging infrastructure will be installed and available at home, at the workplace, in car parks and on the public highway. The Renault-Nissan Alliance and EDF plan to use the full-scale trial to test the usage and performance of their future electric vehicles.

In the long-term, the Electric Mobility Operator should enjoy success at all levels.

• EDF, involved for over 50 years in electric vehicles, today has the largest such fleet in the world. It has confirmed its role as a leading energy partner for the automotive industry.  

• The Renault-Nissan Alliance will meet its objective and become the first automotive manufacturer to mass market zero-emission vehicles.

• Consumers will benefit from a silent and competitive vehicle that emits no greenhouse gases or pollution. The price of the car (without the battery) will be equal to or less than a model today. Total cost in use, including battery use, will be lower than for a model today.

By reducing greenhouse gases, the development of electric vehicles will have a positive impact on the environment and air quality.