Essen is getting an electric start to its year as the European Green Capital – with support from Nissan. As the new main sponsor, the Japanese auto manufacturer is providing the city of Essen with a fleet of 15 electric vehicles. The two partners are therefore working together on what will be a central theme for the coming twelve months: the sustainable reshaping of mobility.
The first three Nissan LEAFs and two e-NV200s were already handed over at the Rüttenscheider Stern in Essen.
“Essen, the European Green Capital, and Nissan, the world’s leading e-mobility brand – we make an excellent team”, said Thomas Hausch. “We have already sold more than 275,000 electric vehicles worldwide, covered more than three billion kilometres in everyday use and set up over 4,000 quick-charge stations across Europe. 95 percent of our customers are very satisfied with our electric vehicles. Now, we want to use our many years of experience and expertise to make the European Green Capital ‘electrically mobile’ with guidance and assistance. We look forward to working together.”
“Electric mobility is a central topic for the future – climate-friendly and environmentally friendly, resource-saving and efficient.” Thomas Kufen emphasised
Simone Raskob added: “In recent decades, our city has proven its ability to transform itself. Promoting electric mobility in the Green Capital year will be the initial spark for a further step towards a sustainable future.”
The project office and various city offices will use the Nissan electric fleet. Both theNissan LEAF and the Nissan e-NV200 are predestined for the city. They can transport people and materials with virtually no sound and with no emissions of CO2 or other pollutants.
Nissan launched the LEAF, the world’s first mass produced and now best-selling electric car, in 2010. Since the market launch, more than 4,000 customers drive the Nissan e-car. The LEAF travels on the streets of Essen with a 30 kWh battery and a range of up to 250 kilometres, while fast charging to 80% takes 30 minutes.
Nissan operates Germany’s largest free network of charging stations
Drivers can charge up their e-cars at more than 70 quick chargers and over 400 charging stations – free of charge. In October 2014, the Japanese auto manufacturer launched the campaign ‘Free Electricity for Everyone’.
There has been a particularly handy alternative to the LEAF on the market since 2015. The fully electric e-NV200 combines the functional properties of the conventionally powered urban delivery vehicle NV200 with the zero-emissions drive of the LEAF. Nissan recently introduced a five-year warranty for the model that won the ‘German Commercial Vehicle Award 2016’.
Purchasing a Nissan e-car in Germany is particularly attractive at the moment. The federal government set up a EUR 4,000 electric bonus. It is covered in equal parts by the federal government and the automobile industry. Nissan is increasing it to EUR 5,000 for the LEAF and EUR 5,250 for the e-NV200. This means that the Nissan LEAF is available at prices starting from EUR 18,365 (plus battery rental).
