Renault-Nissan Tops Global EV Sales to Deliver 200,000th in Early Nov. 2014

Renault-Nissan recently announced having sold its 200,000th electric vehicle (EV) to  lead with 58% market share for zero-emission cars. Together, Renault and Nissan EVs have been driven approximately four billion zero-emission kilometers – enough to circle the earth 100,000 times. Renault-Nissan's EVs have saved  200 million liters of fuel – enough to fill about 80 Olympic-sized swimming pools, as well as cut CO2 emissions by about 450 million kg.

The group sold its 200,000th EV in early November 2014, about four years after the launch of the Nissan LEAF, the world's first mass-market battery electric vehicle (BEV), which remains the best-selling EV in history.

From January through the first week of November of 2014, the group has sold about 66,500 units—up about 20% from the same period last year, as well as having sold about two of three EVs worldwide, including Twizy, Renault's two-seater urban commuter and the Nissan e-NV200 van in Europe and Japan.

“Renault and Nissan's electric vehicles are the zero-emission volume leaders – and, most important, they enjoy high satisfaction rates from customers around the world,” said Carlos Ghosn, Chairman & CEO of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. “Based on positive owner feedback and the increasing demand for cars that run on renewable energy, it's no surprise that EV sales are accelerating – particularly in regions where charging infrastructure is well developed.”

U.S., Japan Lead EV Ownership

In the United States, the group's biggest EV market, there are more than 750 quick chargers in operation. Nissan is working with its dealers and charging partners to increase that number to 1,100 by mid-2015. Quick chargers recharge a LEAF from zero to 80% capacity in about 30 minutes.

This year, Nissan also launched its “No Charge to Charge” program, which provides free access to selected charging stations for two years with purchase or lease of a new Nissan LEAF. “No Charge to Charge” is currently active in 12 U.S. markets, and Nissan plans to expand to additional markets by mid-2015.

In Japan, the group's second-biggest EV market, there are more than 2,900 quick chargers in operation. Nissan and Japan's three other top automakers have pledged to work together to raise that number to 6,000 by March 2015.

In Europe, the U.K. is the most advanced market in terms of EV infrastructure, with quick charging network already covering 87% of the nation's motorways.

World's Best-selling EV

With six EVs on the road, Renault-Nissan Alliance is the only global car group with a full range of BEVs that are rechargeable with purely renewable energy.

Japan-based Nissan has sold a cumulative 148,700 units worldwide since December 2010, when Nissan LEAF went on sale.

In the U.S., LEAF is on track to be the top EV in 2014, outselling all other electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. In addition to LEAF, Nissan also sells the e-NV200 van, which went on sale in Europe in June and in Japan in October, 2014.

Meanwhile, France-based Renault has sold a cumulative 51,500 EVs worldwide since its first model the Kangoo Z.E. went on sale in October 2011.

In addition to Kangoo Z.E. and Twizy, Renault's zero-emission range also includes the ZOE subcompact and the Fluence Z.E. sedan.

Renault's top markets in Europe - its main EV market - are France, Germany and the U.K. In October 2014, Renault regained the number one EV position in Europe with a market share of 31%.