Portuguese PM is the first head of government in the world to use an electric car

From the FinanzNachrichten: Portugal received delivery of the first 10 electric vehicles in Europe from Nissan as recognition of the country's pioneering work in electric mobility with the MOBI.E project.

The Prime Minister José Socrates is one of the ten recipients and will now travel exclusively by Electric Car for his official travels around the capital city. With this Portugal becomes the first country in the world to have a head of state head of government using an electric car for official matters.

Prime Minister, Jose Socrates, said:

"Portugal is extremely proud of the introduction of the electric vehicle. This initiative is only possible due the fast implementation and development of the Portuguese MOBI.E Charging Network, which is considered a leading example to the world of how to roll out electric cars. Portugal is the first country in the world to have a nation-wide smart grid for electric vehicles."

The other cars will be purchased by nine companies of the technological consortium that developed the MOBI.E solution as a clear sign of the need for a transition to Electric Mobility.

The cars were delivered Carlos Tavares, Vice-President of Nissan, in a Ceremony that occurred in Parque das Nações, in Lisbon.

Portugal Pioneer on Electric Mobility

Portugal is the first country in the world to implement an electric vehicle charging network at a national scale. The MOBI.E network, which currently spreads over 25 municipalities throughout the country, displays over 50 charging points already installed growing to more than 1300 normal charging points and 50 quick charging stations by mid-2011.

It is the only truly integrated system in the world, focusing on the user and ensuring open-access and interoperability. Such approach has drawn interest from many countries to the MOBI.E Programme.

The MOBI.E charging network is thus the first electric mobility smart grid and has established itself as a world industry benchmark.

Portugal has therefore become the definite living lab for electric mobility, and is well on its way for a more sustainable oil-independent future.

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VIDEO: Renault Fluence ZE electric sedan to cost 22,000 euros in Portugal

Renault has revealed the estimated prices for the three electric models the French carmaker will launch in Portugal in 2011. According to Turbo, the Fluence ZE electric sedan will cost 22,000 euros, plus an 80 euros monthly fee for the electric battery. The price reflects a 5,000 euros discount by the Portuguese state, being awarded to the first 5,000 electric vehicle owners.

The Kangoo ZE will cost 24,000, plus a 90 euros monthly fee. The commercial vehicle is not eligible for the passenger car-only state grant.

The three-seater Renault Twizy, expected to debut in late 2011, will cost around 16,000 euros, about 2,000 less than the Zoe, the french carmaker estimates.

Portugal has a nationwide EV charging network. There are currently over one hundred plug-in stations across the territory, and the number will increase to 1.300 until June 2011. Mobi.e's network is the world's only user-focused, inter-operable smart grid to date open to every manufacturer, utility company and private operator, the project's website states.

VIDEO: Renault Fluence ZE e Kangoo ZE a partir de 22.000 euros em Portugal

A Renault divulgou os preços estimados para os veículos eléctricos que a marca francesa vai comercializar a partir de 2011 em Portugal. Segundo a Turbo, o Fluence ZE, familiar de quatro portas, chega ao mercado a partir dos 22 mil euros. O valor inclui o desconto de 5 mil euros concedido pelo Estado aos primeiros 5 mil proprietários de veículos eléctricos em Portugal. Ao preço junta-se uma mensalidade de 80 euros pelo aluguer da bateria de iões de lítio.

O comercial eléctrico Kangoo ZE será comercializado com um preço-base de 24 mil euros. Os compradores deste veículo não terão direito ao desconto de 5 mil euros, uma vez que este apenas abrange ligeiros de passageiros. A mensalidade do aluguer da bateria do Kangoo eléctrico é 10 euros mais elevada que a do Fluence ZE: 90 euros.

O mini-eléctrico de três lugares Renault Twizy, que deverá chegar ao mercado no final de 2011, tem um preço estimado de 16 mil euros. Já o futuro Zoe ficará por 18 mil euros.

Para além dos incentivos estatais à compra de veículos eléctricos, Portugal conta já com uma rede de abastecimento para estes automóveis. A rede Mobi.e é actualmente composta por cerca de uma centena de postos de recarregamento, número que deverá aumentar para 1300 até Junho de 2011.