North East England goes electric
* Electricity free of charge until March 2012
* North East given priority for UKs first Nissan Leafs
Nissan has signed an agreement with development agency One North East that will help to cement the North East of England as the UKs national centre for developing ultra-low-carbon vehicles.
Under the agreement, One North East has agreed to install at least 619 charging points by the start of 2011, with electricity provided free of charge until the end of March 2012, or until an itemised billing service is available.
It has already installed two charging points for public use in the car park at its head office.
Free parking spaces
The agency will also work with other companies in the area to create at least 200 free, dedicated public parking spaces by November 2010, as well as introducing preferential access to certain roads and areas.
The agreement also sets commitments on incentives for drivers, as well as education and demonstration initiatives to be introduced over the next two years.
At the same time, Nissan has also agreed to supply Leaf cars to the region in early 2011, and to give priority to orders for the car from the North East.
