Today Nova Scotia Power in cooperation with Nissan Canada and O’Regan’s Nissan Halifax announced the launch of ShareReady, an exciting new electric vehicle pilot program. Nova Scotia Power has secured 10 all-electric Nissan LEAF™ vehicles for shared use by organizations in Nova Scotia.
“This program is about being ready for all-electric cars,” said Robin McAdam, Executive Vice President, Sustainability for Nova Scotia Power. “Through this partnership with Nissan Canada and O’Regan’s Nissan, Nova Scotia Power will be better able to prepare our system for broader adoption of this technology and expose Nova Scotians to the fuel economy and other benefits of electric transportation options.”
As part of the pilot program, Nova Scotia Power is incorporating two Nissan LEAFs™ into its own fleet. The remaining vehicles will be deployed by partner organizations. To date these include CBCL Limited and Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation. O’Regan’s Nissan Halifax will distribute and service the pilot program vehicles.
“We congratulate the Province and Nova Scotia Power on their commitment to electric mobility and we’re pleased to support the launch of the ShareReady demonstration program by ensuring the availability of the Nissan LEAF to participants,” said Allen Childs, President of Nissan Canada. “It’s important for electric vehicle manufacturers and provincial utilities to partner to develop awareness of electric vehicles and through this program, Nova Scotia Power will be able to study how electric vehicles are used in this province.”
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Province of Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Power and Nissan Canada was also announced at the event committing the partners to work together to build awareness of the benefits of electric vehicles.
"Government is excited to be working with industry partners like Nova Scotia Power and Nissan to explore the potential for electric vehicles in Nova Scotia," said NS Energy Minister Charlie Parker. "We are working towards a new era in energy self-sufficiency, sustainability and affordability in Nova Scotia. Today’s announcement is another milestone on that journey."
The Nissan LEAF™ is the world’s first mass-market, all-electric car and will begin arriving in Nova Scotia later this month for distribution to pilot program partners. O’Regan’s Nissan Halifax, which recently became the first LEAF™ certified dealership in Atlantic Canada, currently has the 2011 World Car of the Year available for consumer test drives.
By purchasing or leasing a vehicle, ShareReady partner organizations will help NS Power answer questions about the convenience of vehicle charging, the readiness of the provincial electric grid to support wider adoption of electric transportation, the cost of driving electric vehicles and how the vehicles perform. Nova Scotia Power will provide assistance to each partner in the selection and installation of a vehicle charging station, to be some of the first in Atlantic Canada. Partner opportunities are still available by contacting NS Power by November 14.
“We’re very excited to see the Nissan LEAF™ in Nova Scotia and are looking forward to offering this revolutionary vehicle in a marketplace that will be ready and waiting for them,” said Sean O’Regan, O’Regan’s Nissan Halifax.
The environmental benefits of electric vehicles were examined by Dr. Larry Hughes, professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Dalhousie University. The study found that with the fuel sources used by NS Power in 2010 to generate electricity, the Nissan LEAF™ produces approximately 20% lower greenhouse gas emissions than the most fuel-efficient conventional vehicle in its class.
To read more about the ShareReady pilot program, or to view Dr. Hughes’ full report, visit shareready.nspower.caOpens in a new tab..
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