Nissan, Fleet Forum partner to promote zero-emission mobility

Nissan Motors and Fleet Forum, an independent association that supports humanitarian organizations to improve and professionalize the management of vehicle fleets, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote zero-emission mobility.

As per the MoU, Nissan will lend five 100% electric Nissan LEAFs to Fleet Forum for a year free of charge and the company will rotate the vehicles among selected members for a few months each in order for them to experience the benefits of a zero-emission vehicle and to encourage them to switch to such vehicles in the future.

Both the companies will choose the participating members, eligible organizations will have professional fleet management and an environmental strategy.

The program will start in the second half of 2011 following the announcement of the selected members.

Nissan is also in talk with Fleet Forum to help it reduce C02 emissions from its fleet through the use of Nissan's eco driving technology.

Both the companies believe that the Nissan LEAF test program is just the beginning of a partnership which will reduce the environmental impact of fleets of humanitarian and corporate organizations.

The Fleet Forum members operate a combined humanitarian fleet in excess of 80,000 vehicles with an estimated operating cost of $800m.

Nissan corporate vice president Simon Sproule said Fleet Forum is typical of the forward thinking organizations that are embracing the potential of zero emission mobility.

"This partnership will allow us to demonstrate to the humanitarian and aid community the benefits of the 100% electric Nissan LEAF, a five-seater hatchback that emits zero emissions but is also practical and economical to drive," Sproule said.

"The program will also help Nissan better understand the unique needs of humanitarian and aid organizations, as well as the conditions they work under in order to better meet their needs."