MONTREAL- Communauto, North America’s first car-sharing service, will be offering its clients all-electric vehicles next year.
Fifty Nissan Leaf cars are to join Communauto’s fleet before the end of 2011.
“Our customers will soon be able to share the only real-world car with zero emissions and that brings together all the comfort, style and practicality that they are looking for,” Communauto president Benoît Robert said.
And there will be recharging stations for the vehicles in and around Montreal by the time the Leafs arrive, according to a multi-party agreement announced Tuesday in Montreal.
Nissan Canada has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the provincial government, Hydro-Québec, the cities of Montreal along with the Agence de l’efficacité énergétique du Québec to “advance zero-emission mobility in Quebec.”
One key task will be determining where to place recharging stations for the Japanese-made vehicles that are to make their North American debut next year.
Most of the 50 Leaf vehicles will be deployed in Montreal, Communauto president Robert told reporters.
Communauto members will be charged the same fees as for conventional cars, at least initially, he said.
The price tag for Leafs in Canada has not yet been determined, Mark Grimm, president of Nissan Canada, said.
But it should approximate the U.S. price of about $32,800 for the entry-level vehicle, he said.
Communauto will benefit from provincial subsidies for electric vehicles of about $10,000 per vehicle.
“This agreement brings us a step closer to a governmental action plan on electric vehicles, which will be launched within the next few months,” Minister of Natural Resources, Nathalie Normandeau, said.
“We are planning a series of concrete actions that will pave the way for the arrival of electric vehicles in Québec. Since 97 per cent of our electricity comes from clean, renewable resources, Québec presents a number of advantages for the introduction of electric vehicles.”
More to follow.
lmoore@thegazette.canwest.com
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