Nissan and Petrobras Distribuidora Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Promote Zero Emission Mobility

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Petrobras Distribuidora and Nissan do Brasil signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today to study the expansion of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles in Brazil. The event formalizing the agreement was held at the BR headquarter in Rio de Janeiro. Nissan’s general director, François Dossa, and the president of Petrobras Distribuidora, José Lima de Andrade Neto, attended the event.

The agreement will allow both companies to study the infrastructure development and products and services necessary to meet the demand of plug-in hybrid and pure electric vehicles at Petrobras gas stations and the adherence to the Zero Emission Mobility BR´s program.

Currently, Petrobras Distribuidora operates the “Eletroposto” station that opened in 2009 as the first spot with support services for recharging electric vehicles, including bicycles and scooters. The “Eletroposto” station is part of the set of technologies deployed at Petrobras “Gas Station of the Future,” located in Barra da Tijuca, in Rio de Janeiro.

The partnership between two companies began in 2011 when the Petrobras Distribuidora opened the “Gas Station of The Future” and supplied electricity to Nissan LEAF, first 100%-electric, vehicle mass-produced in the world. The MoU signed indicates a step ahead on issues of energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Nissan's experience on electric vehicles was a major factor for this agreement. As a global leader in zero emissions, Nissan has signed more than 100 partnerships with governments, municipalities and other organizations worldwide to create the necessary charging infrastructure, incentives and policies to encourage consumers to buy EVs. Nissan is also at the forefront of battery technology with its lithium-ion batteries that powers Nissan LEAF.

Launched in 2010, Nissan LEAF has a range of 160 kilometers on a single charge and can be fully recharged in eight hours on a 220 volt outlet or have 80% capacity recharge in just 30 minutes using a 400 volts charger. The first 100%-electric vehicle that is mass produced, Nissan LEAF does not emit pollutants and it is produced from 99% of recyclable materials. It is also the best selling electric vehicle in the world, with over 30,000 units sold from December 2010 to May 2012.

”Petrobras Distribuidora has been operating ‘Eletroposto’ since 2009 in Rio de Janeiro the, which allows quick electric vehicles charge. The goal of this MoU is to advance in the studies, in order to expand the service at Petrobras Gas Stations network,“ says BR president José Lima de Andrade Neto.

"Nissan believes in perfect harmony between development and a cleaner planet. Nissan LEAF is proof that it is possible to have zero emissions without compromising the comfort of urban mobility,” says Francois Dossa, general director of Nissan do Brasil. "This partnership with Petrobras Distribuidora reinforces our commitment to the development of Brazil, a country where we have come to stay and are investing heavily," he concludes.

About Nissan do Brasil
Growing significantly in recent years, Nissan aims to reach 5% of market share by 2014. To achieve this goal, the company will introduce 10 new models in Brazil until 2016. Launched in 2011, Nissan Versa and Nissan March marked the company's entry in the two highest volume segments of the Brazilian market - compact hatches and compact sedans. Today Nissan do Brasil operates 145 stores across the country and has plans to increase this number to 239 by 2016. Producing in São José dos Pinhais, Parana, since 2002, Nissan announced in 2011 an investment of $ 2.6 billion to build a new factory in the country, in Resende, state of Rio de Janeiro, scheduled to begin operation in 2014 and capable of producing 200,000 cars a year.

Reinforcing its commitment to the country, Nissan will be the official sponsor of the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games™, and the Brazilian Olympic Committee in the category “Cars.” This partnership includes the delivery of 4,500 vehicles of various types that will meet the needs of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games™ and Team Brazil. This fleet will prioritize clean energy (ethanol or electricity), supporting the efforts of the Rio 2016™ to achieve the sustainability goals of the Games.

About Petrobras
Petrobras' derivatives distribution activity is carried out by its Petrobras Distribuidora subsidiary. Petrobras Distribuidora is the only company in the industry present in all Brazilian regions. It leads the market, holding a 38.5% market share. To implement the strategies and objectives in the Strategic Plan, Petrobras Distribuidora will invest the equivalent of R$ 5,2 billion over the period 2011 to 2015, which will increase BR’s market share to 40% in 2015. Today there are about 7,000 Petrobras Distribuidora service stations and more than 10,000 large customers among industries, power plants and aviation companies.

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Contact:

Juliana Cabrini
NBA Corporate Communications Manager
+ 55 41 3380-1795 or +55 41 9957-4668
Email: juliana.cabrini@nissan.com.br