COP21 - The Tipping Point for Electric Cars?

Wed, Dec 02, 2015 18:08 CET

Auto Industry is Investing and Innovating but Needs Government Commitments at Climate Summit

Transition to a zero-emission society requires greater government investment in charging infrastructure and extending incentives to consumers
Renault and Nissan providing 200 electric-vehicles (EVs) for COP21 attendees

Today there are about 800 million vehicles on the world’s roads. By 2050, it is estimated there will be more than 2 billion. If the worst effects of climate change are to be avoided, the world cannot continue to rely only on fossil fuels to power those vehicles.

The car industry already has well-proven, ready and affordable solutions to wean drivers off fossil fuels. The most prominent is the electric vehicle, the only zero-emissions vehicle that can be powered with purely renewable energy.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance, the first automaker to offer a full range of EVs, recently sold their 275,000th EV and today more than half the world’s EVs have been produced by the Alliance.

At the 2015 Paris Climate Conference (COP21) which runs from 30th November to 11th December, the Alliance is providing 200 pure EVs for delegates - the largest fleet of zero-emission cars ever assembled for an international conference.

The Alliance believes the automotive industry is reaching a tipping point in convincing consumers to switch from fossil fuel driven cars to EVs. The recent emissions scandal has only highlighted interest in alternatives to fossil fuels technology.

However many governments schemes to help stimulate demand for EVs, such as installing the necessary charging infrastructure, and providing financial and legal incentives for consumers to buy EV cars are due to lapse in the next two years.

In places where such investments have received strong government backing, such as throughout Norway and in certain parts of the USA like Atlanta, Georgia, EV sales have grown rapidly.

Government failure to commit to investing in these areas will severely undermine the opportunity for the fundamental zero- and low-emission vehicle growth that will be required.

An orderly transition to a low carbon economy can only be achieved if government supports business by setting binding goals at the summit and backing them up with commitments.

At COP21 will governments grasp the opportunity to make this reality?

RENAULT-NISSAN ALLIANCE AT COP21:

The Renault-Nissan Alliance will provide the largest electric-vehicle fleet ever at an international conference.

As the official passenger-car provider for COP21, the Alliance will provide 200 pure electric vehicles to the U.N. summit, where more than 20,000 participants from 195 countries are expected.

This marks the first time the U.N. will use a zero-emission or 100% electric fleet for its entire passenger-car shuttle at a climate summit.

The vehicles are expected to cover more than 400,000 km, emitting zero emissions* while shuttling delegates.

The COP21 car fleet will feature the Renault ZOE subcompact car, the Nissan LEAF compact car and the 7-seater Nissan e-NV200 van. The vehicles will be available to shuttle delegates 24 hours, seven days a week to and from the Le Bourget conference venue, as a complement to public transport.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance has also set up network of 90 quick and standard charging stations in strategic locations with French electric utility company EDF powered by low-carbon electricity. The residual emissions will be offset under an accredited U.N. carbon off-setting program. The quick charging stations will be able to charge the EVs from 0 to 80% capacity in about 30 minutes.

The vehicles will be driven by a team of 200 professional drivers and 200 volunteers from Renault and Nissan.

*No CO2 emissions and no regulated exhaust pollutants while driving, according to NEDC homologation cycle.

For More Information Contact: Michele Wallace, mwallace@megamediaworldwide.com, +1-212-481-9404