Portugal pushes for zero-emission travel

The Portuguese government is partnering with the Renault Nissan Alliance to promote zero-emission travel in the country.

The government and car maker said they will jointly research ways to create the right conditions to make electric vehicles attractive to Portuguese consumers.

The Alliance will also see a study of the infrastructure and related organisations needed to create a nationwide network of charging stations for electric vehicles.

"Promoting electric cars in Portugal will reduce our dependence on imported oil and will contribute to a cleaner environment," said the country’s prime minister José Sócrates.

The Renault Nissan Alliance said it will start mass marketing its electric vehicles to consumers in Portugal in 2011.

"With the rising cost of oil and continuing concerns about C02 emissions, we believe the ultimate solution to sustainable mobility will be the mass availability of zero-emission vehicles," said Carlos Ghosn, president and CEO of Renault and Nissan.