Renault-Nissan massive EV project also coming to Spain
A hint was given when the Spanish Government announced its wish list to reduce the Iberian country's dependence on oil but now it's been announced by Europa Press: The Spanish Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce has announced an agreement with Nissan-Renault to study the possibility of a large-scale project (à la Better Place) to manufacture and sell EVs in Spain, as well as creating a network to plug them. Renault has confirmed such contacts. Spain expects to have one million electric and hybrid cars on the roads by 2014, and an agreement such as the one for Denmark, Portugal and Israel could be a solution. Renault-Nissan is surely making its stakes with such ambitious projects, since Spain is Europe's 5th largest market. Pictured on the right, one of Renault's early electric prototypes, a 1971 Renault 5, which was also manufactured in Spain.[Source: Europa Press via Econoticias]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Hektik 6:58PM (8/05/2008)
With all the Spanish car industry in hands of germans, french and USA is very unlikely that those plans will ever come true.
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Lad 10:51PM (8/05/2008)
I think they can make their plan work in Spain; the idea behind the project is somewhat complex and involved and modeled after the cell phone industry, where the batteries are rented and the cars are low cost, based on your initial commitment.
see http://www.betterplace.com/
hektik 5:31AM (8/06/2008)
Hi Lad,
I do wish that plan would work. But I know some of the forces that will bring that plan down: one of them is the poor commitment of most of the spaniards againts climate change and global warming. Most of us only concerned to install a home air conditioning which will bring us instant comfort. Those long term plans to save the world do not match with what I see around here in Spain.
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alf 6:21AM (8/08/2008)
In Spain there are many people worried about climate change, the president Zapatero is one of us. this decision in a example of this. And this compromise is over the nationalims
Anton 8:00AM (8/06/2008)
Hi gents, do not underestimate Spaniards so easy, and please, do not ban us to use air conditioning, thanks.
Why is not going to work? Renault and Nissan know very well Spain, its market and its customers, they have a huge and long term presence in Spain. On the other hand, authorities are supporting strongly green technologies and projects. Give incentives to install recharging points to supermarkets, petrol stations, parking's, etc, and you don't need a better place project, you need EV to offer.
I cannot see a real issue until 25% of the vehicles will run with electric power. This will take some time to happen. Meanwhile, introduce EV in the market for customers with short mileage needs. I see also high potential for this group of customers with conversions. Just thinking with my friends and family here in Spain , 50% (some of them only as a second car) will be more than happy to get a car capable of 50 km day, all night charging, very low running cost and maintenance. This % will rise dramatically if recharging time could get down to 15 min.
Lets go starting with standard plug in vehicles and I hope to see you soon here, renting a plug in for you next holiday? are you so green?.
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Dirk 6:38PM (8/06/2008)
The recent breaktrouchs of the following technologies could help a lot.
MIT cobalt phosphane catalysator for higher efficient electrolisys of water into H2 and O.
Ammonia Borane as a storage facillity for hydrogen.
PEDOT membranes for cheaper fuelcells.
These new technologies still need to mature but are very promising
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