Renault-Nissan Alliance Goes to Quebec

The partnership between French manufacturer Renault and the Japanese from Nissan is moving forward with its expansion plans in North America, after the two announced the signing of a new partnership with the Government of Quebec, City of Montreal, Quebec City, Hydro-Quebec and the Agence de l'efficacite energetique du Quebec. The goal of the new partnership is, as ever, the promotion of the upcoming electric Leaf.

"This agreement brings us a step closer to a governmental action plan on electric vehicles, which will be launched within the next few months," Quebec Minister of Natural Resources, Nathalie Normandeau, said in a statement.

"We are planning a series of concrete actions that will pave the way for the arrival of electric vehicles in Quebec. Since 97% of our electricity comes from clean, renewable resources, Quebec presents a number of advantages for the introduction of electric vehicles."

The partnership between all the parties mentioned above is in line with the Strategic Plan 2009-2013 set in motion last year by Hydro-Quebec. It will also help the province meant its 30 percent CO2 emissions reduction set for the year 2020.

As for the Leaf, the first electric vehicle to be sold worldwide at a somewhat acceptable price, it will arrive in Canada before the end of 2011.

"We look forward to bringing the Nissan LEAF, the only mass-market zero-emission car at an affordable price, to Québec. Our partners have already demonstrated their commitment to combating greenhouse gas emissions and we anticipate a productive collaboration," Mark Grimm, Nissan Canada president added.