State of Oregon plugs into electric-vehicle plan
As part of a plan to encourage the use of zero-emission vehicles among government users and the public, the state of Oregon has entered into a supply agreement with Nissan that will bring a number of Nissan electric vehicles to the state government’s fleet in 2010.
Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski made the announcement after meeting with Nissan executives overseas as part of the state’s business mission to Japan and China. Details, such as numbers of cars to be provided to the Oregon state fleet and their costs, are being negotiated and finalized.
“This announcement shows that a state can create economic opportunity from its commitment to a greener future and the fight against global warming,” Kulongoski said. “Oregon welcomes Nissan and is pleased to help lead the way in the transition to new, greener vehicle technologies. Soon Oregonians will be able to plug in instead of fuel up at the pump.”
The governor also has been working with private-sector firms to build a network of alternative-fuel stations by October 2010.
Nissan has committed to work with the state of Oregon and Portland General Electric toward the development of an electric-vehicle charging network to promote the use of zero-emission vehicles. The company is developing a model charging-stations infrastructure through its plug-in vehicle initiative. Portland General Electric already has installed six electric-vehicle charging stations in the Portland area and Salem, with plans for six more.