Paris, France - Renault and French electricity utility EDF have signed a memorandum of understanding to create a large-scale, zero emissions individual transport and travel system, starting with France. The objective is to establish electric cars as a viable and attractive transportation solution for consumers. EDF owns the world’s biggest fleet of electric vehicles.

The Renault Nissan Alliance aims to become the world’s leading manufacturer of zero-emission vehicles. France will be one of the first global markets to receive these all-electric models. Similar partnerships have been announced with the state of Tennessee, and with Israel, Denmark, Portgual, and Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan.

Through the agreement, the Renault Nissan Alliance and EDF aim to provide consumers access to zero emission mobility from 2011, and will jointly develop an innotative commercial project, open to other interested parties, leading to the setup of an Electric Mobility Operator in the long term. The role of the operator will be to supply customers with the infrastructure to recharge an electric vehicle and manage its range. Between now and January 2010, the partners will study engineering requirements, national and European regulations, and all necessary technical and financial procedures, including the identification of new partners, to ensure that the infrastructure is ready for a vehicle launch in 2011.