Nissan lands world’s largest electric taxi fleet deal

Nissan and La Ciudad del Taxi have announced the world’s largest 100 percent electric taxi fleet deal that will see 110 Nissan Leaf 30 kWh carsproviding zero emission taxi services in Madrid.

Announced at the Madrid Motor Show, the agreement signed between Nissan and La Cuidad del Taxi will introduce electric taxis into the Spanish capital, putting Madrid up there with other like-minded capital cities such as Amsterdam, which has taken delivery of 100 Leaf cars and e-NV200, and Budapest with 65 Leafs.

Gareth Dunsmore, Head of Electric Vehicles, Nissan Europe said: “Cities across the globe are facing huge challenges in terms of poor air quality and increasing greenhouse emissions. Adding zero emission vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf to taxi services operating in major cities is vital step to tackling these challenges head on.

“La Ciudad del Taxi shares the same pioneering spirit as Nissan and I am thrilled to see the city of Madrid at the forefront of the electric revolution with this landmark deal that will see more than 100 Nissan Leafs providing clean, sustainable taxi services for people across the city.”

Jesús Ramos Fernández, president of La Ciudad del Taxi said: “This operation will set the standard for the mobility of the future as far as the taxi industry is concerned. Zero emission transport will play a large role in this sector and this fleet deal with Nissan will help put Madrid at the forefront of sustainable mobility services.”

The Leaf is the best-selling electric vehicle in the world with more than 220,000 units sold globally. The new Leaf 30 kWh offers a range of up to 250km on a single charge, making it an ideal taxi vehicle and its size, comfort and performance are well-suited to urban environments. In addition to its zero emission benefits, the Leaf also offers running costs four times cheaper than that of a conventional combustion engine and up to 40 percent savings in maintenance costs.

The electric taxi market in Europe is growing quickly as taxi operators switch on the benefits of zero emission mobility. Nissan says it has sold almost 800 electric vehicles (Leaf and e-NV200) to taxi owners and operators across Europe and the top three markets for Nissan electric taxis include Netherlands, UK and Spain. 

The Region of Madrid is demonstrating its commitment to electric mobility, with a grant programme scheduled to be presented in June, for which industry professionals including taxi drivers will be eligible. In addition, the Regional Government is Spain has pledged 2 million euros in support of its firm commitment to sustainable 100 percent electric and zero emission mobility. Meanwhile, Madrid City Council has also confirmed it is ready to install charging infrastructure across the capital.