Nissan Delivers Texas' First 100% Electric Nissan LEAF

HOUSTON, Jan. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) brought sustainable mobility to Texas with the arrival of the state's first all-electric Nissan LEAF. The Sauers family took delivery of their blue Nissan LEAF SL today at Clear Lake Nissan of League City, Texas. This groundbreaking moment follows last month's deliveries in Northern and Southern California, Arizona, Oregon, Washington and Tennessee.

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Jimmy Sauers, along with his wife Christie and their three daughters, live in Seabrook, TX, a suburb of Houston. Jimmy is an engineer and analyst for Reliant Energy while Christie is an engineer for NASA.

"Electricity is the new fuel for cars, and the Nissan LEAF has the potential to transform the automotive industry and the way people drive," said Carlos Tavares, chairman, Nissan Americas. "Starting today, drivers in Houston have the freedom to choose a future that produces zero tailpipe emissions, moves away from our dependence on fossil fuels and represents the end of trips to the gas station. This Nissan LEAF delivery signifies the dawn of a movement that brings sustainable mobility to within our grasp."

In November 2009 Nissan announced that it was entering into an agreement with the retail electric provider, Reliant Energy of Houston to advance zero-emission mobility. A similar partnership with the City of Houston was formed in February 2010 that also helped pave the way for the introduction of the Nissan LEAF in Texas.

NRG Energy, Inc., the parent company of Reliant Energy, recently launched the nation's first privately funded, comprehensive electric vehicle charging ecosystem in Houston called eVgo(SM). The Sauers have chosen eVgo's Mobile Plan and Reliant's EV Owner's Plan for their new Nissan LEAF providing them with power for their home charger and unlimited access to the city's charging ecosystem.

"We are very pleased to have the owners of the first Nissan LEAF in Texas select eVgo to keep their vehicle charged wherever they go in the city and ultimately across the entire Texas Triangle," said Arun Banskota, president of NRG's Electric Vehicle Services.

"Today marks a dramatic shift in the way Houstonians will be driving," said Annise Parker, mayor of Houston. "Electric vehicles are now a real and viable part of our future. We look forward to working with Nissan and continuing to make Houston a cleaner and greener city in which to live and work."

The delivery is Nissan's first in Texas in 2011 as the company delivered the first Nissan LEAF vehicles to each of its primary launch markets in December 2010 to Northern and Southern California, Arizona, Oregon, Washington and Tennessee. Nissan also donated $25,000 to the World Wildlife Fund to mark the occasion.

Nissan is on track for a nationwide launch of the Nissan LEAF by 2012, with Hawaii next to roll out later this month. In order to fulfill interest and meet demand in initial launch markets, Nissan plans to reopen reservations in the first half of 2011 as well as shift timing of additional markets until the second half of 2011.

In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing.  Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010 and has been recognized as a 2010 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America, the Nissan LEAF and zero emissions can be found at www.nissanusa.com.

SOURCE Nissan North America, Inc.