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Home | Green Cars News | Electric | Portugal to Build National Recharging Network

Portugal to Build National Recharging Network

30 June, 2009 08:00:00

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Portugal has become the first EU country to launch a national recharging network for electric vehicles.

As a part of the agreement with the Renault-NIssan, more than 1,300 recharging points for electric vehicles will be installed across the country over the next two years.

Lisbon has long banked on renewables and is now trying to become increasingly independent from foreign fossil fuel imports.

The public-private initiative is intended to boost electric car sales. The government wants electric or other zero-emission vehicles to represent 10% of Portugal's car fleet by 2020.

Last year Portugal’s government said it plans 20 percent of all its public fleet vehicle purchases to be zero-emission starting in 2011.

The first phase of deployment will include recharging sites in 21 cities and rural districts chosen for their high population density and traffic volume, the Economy and Innovation Ministry said. The sites are to be established at gas stations, shopping malls and wired parking spots, among other places.

Electricity generator EDP estimates a complete switch to electric passenger vehicles would cut the country's CO2 emissions by 11%.

[source: WSJ]

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