Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., and Fleet Forum, the first independent association that supports humanitarian organizations to improve and professionalize the management of vehicle fleets, have partnered to promote zero-emission mobility.
Under a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two parties, Nissan will lend five 100% electric Nissan LEAFs to the Fleet Forum for a year free of charge. The Fleet Forum 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.
The participating members will be chosen by the Fleet Forum and Nissan. Eligible organizations will have professional fleet management and an environmental strategy. The program will start in the second half of the year following the announcement of the selected members.
"Fleet Forum aims to set the standard in the market for transport management on Road Safety, Green driving and cost efficiency. Fleet Forum Members enables its members to improve their performance in safety, emissions reduction and cost efficiency of operations. The partnership with Nissan perfectly fits in Fleet Forum's intent to offer our members a range of (knowledge) products and services. The participating members will benefit directly, but in the end all members will benefit. Together with Nissan we will gather and analyze the test data. We will build knowledge on electric driving. We can advise our members how to maximize the use of electric vehicles. Fleet Forum promotes electric driving because this is a very strong instrument in reducing the environmental impact of the operational activities of Fleet Forums members," said Fleet Forum Director, Paul M. Jansen.
"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," said Nissan's Corporate Vice President, Simon Sproule.
"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," he added.
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. Nissan and Fleet Forum 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 US$800 million.
Nissan, together with Alliance partner Renault, aims to be a global leader in zero-emission mobility. As part of its comprehensive approach to promote sustainable mobility, the Alliance has partnered with more than 90 governments, municipalities and companies worldwide to prepare the necessary infrastructure and incentives for the successful adoption of electric vehicles.
Fleet Forum
The Fleet Forum is the first independent knowledge center within the international aid and development community that is focused on issues surrounding humanitarian fleets. The Fleet Forum was founded in 2003 in order to support humanitarian organizations to improve and professionalize the management of vehicle fleets. The Fleet Forum is managed by the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the UN World Food Programme, World Vision International, Care and TNT.
As humanitarian activities are expanding worldwide, aid organizations nowadays have a growing need for safe, clean and efficient transport capacity. Well managed fleet will have a positive impact on the delivery of aid and development programs. The Fleet Forum develops practical tools and programs which support members to improve road safety, reduce the environmental impact of transport and make transport operations more (cost ) effective.
The Fleet Forum is in fact a platform that stimulates international organizations, the UN, academic institutions, donors and corporate partners to work together and share their knowledge and expertise in such a way that all parties will benefit. At this moment the Fleet Forum has more than 40 members that have voluntarily adopted the Fleet Forum standards of excellence. In this way the Fleet Forum saves lives, planet and value.
Nissan LEAF
Nissan LEAF, which recently went on sale in Japan, the US and Europe, is the world's first affordable 100% electric family vehicle and the first EV to win the coveted European Car of the Year award. It has a range between charges of up to 175 km, as tested over the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC).
The family hatchback is powered by an in-house developed compact electric motor and inverter in the front of the car which drives the front wheels. The AC motor develops 80 kW of power and 280 Nm of torque, enough for a maximum speed of 145 km/h.