RENAULT-NISSAN alliance and city of Yokohama to embark on Yokohama mobility ’PROJECT ZERO’

Tokyo .- Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., and the city of Yokohama today announced they will jointly embark on YOKOHAMA Mobility ’Project ZERO’*1, a project aimed at achieving zero-emission mobility. Confirmation of the Project follows a joint study, which was completed in November 2008.

The Project uses a total-management approach to address the issue of zero-emission mobility. It adopts a zoning system that designates the city’s central district as a ’Zero Carbon’ zone, which extends into the ’Low Carbon’ periphery areas.

In 2009, the YOKOHAMA Mobility ’Project Zero’ has the following scope:

1. Measures to promote Eco-Drive Management System*2 (EMS)

* Promote wider adoption of eco-driving by utilizing the Nissan Carwings eco-driving service.
* Propose carbon-offset programs to allow drivers to offset the CO2 emmited.

2. Study of route navigation systems to alleviate traffic congestion

* Conduct a quantitative study of the impact of the fastest-route guidance system - Dynamic Route Guiding System*3 (DRGS) - to alleviate traffic and reduce CO2.
* Establish an online ’Route Planning’ tool that allows drivers to plan their journeys ahead with important information such as estimated commute time, cost and carbon footprint.

3. Measures to promote mass acceptance of electric vehicles

* Establishment of an electric-charging network
o Build a network of charging stations at public parking areas.
o Engage private sectors to invest in electric-charging units (100 units).
o Nissan to set-up electric-charging units at its Yokohama global headquarters, dealerships and facilities.
* Subsidy for EV purchases:
o Offer a subsidy to customers. In 2008 Yokohama offered 300,000 yen per car.
o Offer reduced rates or exemption for EV parking.
o Convert Yokohama municipality’s vehicle fleet into Evs.
* Study the need for change in regulatory laws to promote mass acceptance of Evs.
* Implement EV educational programs to raise public awareness.

4. Quantitative study on the positive impact of the Project to the environment, in collaboration with Tokyo University, and public education campaign

* Measure the impact of traffic congestion management on CO2 emission
* Establish an Eco Mobility web portal to assist drivers
* Conduct an EMS campaign at the ’Eco Car World’ in conjunction with the 150th Anniversary of the Port of Yokohama
* Study urban mobility planning to support absolute zero emission transportation system that connects zero emission vehicles, including EVs and bicycles, to public transport systems.
o Set up a research consortium with Japan Society of Traffic Engineers.
o Pilot multi-platform sharing system for zero-emission transportation.
o Pilot an eco-transport point system to provide incentives to drivers.

"To achieve zero-emission mobility, it is important for automakers and municipalities to cooperate and complement each other’s role in the community" said Mitsuhiko Yamashita, executive vice president of Nissan. "Nissan is fully committed to deliver on the goals set under the Yokohama Mobility ’Project ZERO’ by leveraging our EV expertise and R&D capabilities"

The Renault-Nissan Alliance aims to be a global leader in zero-emission vehicles. The Alliance has entered into partnerships worldwide with governments, municipalities, and companies. Yokohama city will be one of the first cities in Japan to receive the zero emission vehicle as Nissan plans to launch the EV in Japan and the U.S. in 2010, and mass market globally by 2012.

(*1) YOKOHAMA Mobility "Project ZERO" - this is a five-year project that represents a common goal shared by Nissan and Yokohama City to define how the future of zero emission mobility will be.
(*2) EMS is a system which allows the driver to monitor his/her driving pattern in terms of fuel efficiency via the vehicle’s navigation system, cell phones and website. It allows drivers to compare their eco-driving performance against others with tips on how to improve.
(*3) DRGS calculates the fastest route to a destination by calculating traffic data received from high-density probes.