| Electric cars | Denmark | Renault-Nissan alliance |

Renault plans to sell electric cars in Denmark by 2011 as part of its strategy to provide zero emission cars with similar performance to petrol-powered vehicles. The move is a joint venture with Nissan and the Japanese firm will provide the high-tech lithium-ion batteries needed for this type of electric vehicle.

Denmark has been chosen by Renault-Nissan because it has the right infrastructure to sell electric vehicles. The Danish government gives tax incentives on all-electric vehicles that make it very cost-effective for car drivers to choose an electric model.

Working with the Project Better Place scheme, which aims to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions, a nation-wide grid of recharging points will be installed.

The Danish project follows on from Renault and Project Better Place's first all-electric vehicle scheme that was launched in Israel in January this year. Israel was chosen as its major cities are all relatively close together. Denmark has been chosen as the European test bed as its cities are also only short distances from each other, so electric cars can travel between them without recharging.

Renault-Nissan has said that if these initial trials are successful it would look to expand the idea across more European countries.

Alisdair Suttie - 28 Mar 2008