The partnership between the Renault-Nissan Alliance and EDF was strengthen in October 2010, with the same objective: 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.

A person buying an electric Renault or Nissan vehicle will be put in contact, via the vehicle dealership, with one of EDF’s partner electricians present across the country and selected for the quality of their services. The service will include monitoring the customer’s electric equipment and, where necessary, ensuring it complies with prevailing standards and fitting an electric socket adapted to the recommendations of Renault and Nissan.

For businesses and public authorities looking to use electric vehicles, their Renault or Nissan sales advisor will put them in direct contact with an EDF group contact, who will advise them directly on the charging infrastructures they need as well as on their electricity supply contract for EDF customers.

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

• Renault is responsible for producing electric vehicles for private and professional customers from 2011. The Renault Fluence Z.E. sedan and Renault Kangoo Express Z.E. lcv will come first .

• 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 winter 2010-2011, consumers, professionals and local government employees located in Île-de-France region (Seine Aval) 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.