To this end, VME is using a demonstration program being conducted in 2 pilot towns: a fleet of a dozen electric vehicles will be made available on a self-service basis in each of the partner towns. In order to maximize the energy efficiency—and hence the range—of these demonstration vehicles, two measures will be implemented:

• The development of an onboard energy supervisor that will take into account all the sustainable development objectives associated with urban transport: energy, pollution, transport economy (journey time, congestion, etc.); and

• The drawing up of energy maps to provide an accurate picture of the energy consumed during the course of short journeys.

I’m committed to a long-term policy aimed at making Nice a model city in terms of sustainable development, so that ultimately Nice can be recognized as a green Mediterranean city. This commitment involves increasing the number of innovative experiments and seeking new solutions associated with the increasing use of clean energy. The VME system at the heart of this pilot experiment rationalizes energy use and brings the essential economic dimension to this pollution reduction initiative.

—Christian Estrosi, Minister for Industry, Mayor of Nice and President of Nice Côte d’Azur

The project, coordinated by Vu Log, is receiving the backing of ADEME (Agence de l’Environnement et de la Maîtrise de l’Energie—French Environment and Energy Management Agency) demonstrator funds.