E.Leclerc and the Renault-Nissan Alliance to Place EV Chargers in Nearly 500 E.Leclerc Centers by 2015
11 October 2010
The E.Leclerc Centers and Renault signed a letter of intent with the aim of developing a program to equip the centers’ parking lots with charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.
The Renault-Nissan Alliance will accompany E.Leclerc in equipping its parking lots with charging stations for electric vehicles. As such, 50 E.Leclerc centers will be equipped by 2011, 150 by the end of 2012 and nearly 500 by 2015.
E.Leclerc and the Renault-Nissan Alliance will work together on launching a program to equip the store’s parking lots with charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, and on studying the implementation of new services related to these vehicles in the E.Leclerc Centers, for example, short-term rental of electric vehicles. In this perspective, working groups will be set up to:
- Choose the type of charging installation that will match the needs of electric vehicle owners (standard charge: 3 kW, quick charge: 45 kW, or both);
- Identify the number of charging spots to install at each center in order to best meet the needs of the customers; and
- Accompany the E.Leclerc centers in their charging infrastructure implementation plans.
Renault estimates that electric vehicles will represent around 10% of automobile sales in France by 2020.
With a 17% market share, E.Leclerc is the leader of mass-market retailing in France. The brand has 526 stores in France and 86 stores in the rest of Europe. E.Leclerc reported sales revenues of €32.7 billion in 2009.
Will Walmarts, Costco, Targets etc follow?
Posted by: HarveyD | 11 October 2010 at 12:33 PM
It makes sense for the French to pioneer this for the following reasons:
a: The French are up to their eyes in Nuclear electricity, so the power source is no problem.
b: The French still have a car industry, so they could benefit.
c: The French like to be different and are not afraid of spending money on grand projects.
(Vive la France!)
Posted by: mahonj | 12 October 2010 at 02:58 AM
Most, if not all countries, will soon follow because ground vehicles will be progressively electrified and will need many well located charging points. Shopping center and restaurants parking lots are ideal because users spend enough time there to get a decent charge.
Charging points combined with street side parking meters would also be an ideal solution for many e-vehicle owners. A minor rate adjustment would do.
Recharging PHEVs and BEVs at home, at work, on the streets, in private and public parking lots etc will not be a major challenge and does not require complex new technologies. Producing clean e-power for electrified vehicles is not a major challenge either. Producing lower cost improved batteries is the only remaining challenge and should be overcome by 2020.
Posted by: HarveyD | 12 October 2010 at 07:38 AM
I guess with all this BEV infrastructure going up we'll have to delay the introduction of the vacuum flux capacitor a couple decades.
Oh well... batteries are a good business.
Posted by: Reel$$ | 13 October 2010 at 09:55 AM
UFOs collected all vacuum flux capacitors during their last visit.
Posted by: HarveyD | 14 October 2010 at 03:04 PM