Nissan to Lease X-Trail FCV to Coca-Cola Zero

The American division of Nissan announced it has initiated the first fuel cell vehicle (FCV) lease in North America, after it has already used FCVs in demonstration fleets in Japan and in California (through the California Fuel Cell Partnership - CaFCP). The Nissan X-TRAIL Fuel Cell Vehicle will be leased to Sacramento Coca-Cola Bottling for one year, with an option for two additional years.

"Sacramento already has the beginning of a hydrogen infrastructure in place, and Sacramento Coca-Cola has a track record of utilizing low emissions cars, so the two companies share a green philosophy as well as a common love of things 'zero'," said Eric Noziere, vice president, Corporate Planning, Nissan North America.

Nissan’s X-TRAIL FCV will be used by the bottler for sales calls and public events in the Sacramento area in promotion of its Coca-Cola Zero soft drink.

"Any 5th grade math student can tell you that 0+0+0=0, yet in this case zero (carbs) plus zero (calories) plus zero (emissions) adds up to a great partnership and a great way to promote both the Nissan and Coca-Cola Zero brands," added Noziere.

The vehicle is based on the X-TRAIL SUV, which is available in Mexico, Japan and Europe, and it is fitted with a compact fuel cell stack, a compact Lithium-ion battery and a high-pressure hydrogen storage cylinder. According to the carmaker, the X-TRAIL FCV is able to reach speeds in excess of 95 miles per hour, with a cruising range of up to 300 miles.

Earlier this year Nissan also announced that it is testing a next-generation fuel cell stack that is 25 percent smaller than the current model and will be less expensive to build. Nissan North America recently opened a new Fuel Cell Laboratory at the Nissan Technical Center in Farmington Hills, Michigan.