May 2, 2011
Keywords: Energy Conservation Local government Manufacturing industry Transportation / Mobility
Nissan Motor Co., a major automobile manufacturer, delivered 220 units of its Leaf model--an electric vehicle (EV) that went on sale in December 2010--to car rental companies in Okinawa Prefecture on February 1, 2011. Okinawa Prefecture is currently undertaking a project to promote eco-tourism, and is introducing EVs on a demonstration basis to reduce the environmental impact of its tourism industry. Nissan delivered the vehicles in support of the project.
Okinawa attracts approximately 6 million visitors annually, about half of whom use rental cars. The company decided to support the prefecture's initiative to introduce EVs with the expectation that, by having rental car users experience the Leaf's various features, such as its superior environmental performance, acceleration performance and quietness, it could create a ripple effect in the national market for EVs.
With the recent delivery of 220 Leafs, about 40 percent of the roughly 500 Leaf rental cars that the company distributed nationwide in fiscal year 2010 are now being deployed in Okinawa Prefecture.
Okinawa Prefecture is well prepared for launching EV rental cars, with 27 EV chargers already set up at 18 locations on Okinawa's main island. The chargers were installed by a joint venture formed by local companies with the goal of installing and maintaining EV charging stations.
Pre-Orders for Nissan's New EV Exceeds 2010 Sales Goal in Two Months (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/030208.html
Posted: 2011/05/02 06:00:15 AM
Nissan LEAF Brings Eco-Friendly Tourism to Okinawa
http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2011/_STORY/110201-01-e.html