Acting as the official passenger car providers, the Renault-Nissan Alliance EVs compromised of Renault ZOEs and Nissan LEAFs, which are expected to cover a combined distance of more than 400,000km during the event, releasing zero emissions in the process.

Renault-Nissan Alliance chief executive Carlos Ghosn said: “Electric vehicles are a practical and affordable mode of transportation. At the same time, they offer a solution for drastically reducing tailpipe CO2 emissions.

“They also reduce regulated exhaust pollutants, helping us to improve the air quality in our cities. Together, the public and private sectors can accelerate the transition to a zero-emission society.”

The fleet of EVs, which also includes a seven seater Nissan e-NV200 van, will be available 24 hours to transport more than 20,000 UN participants from 195 countries around the event. Volunteers from both car companies will be on hand to drive the vehicles marking the first time the UN will use a zero emissions fleet at a climate summit.

Thinking ahead

The Alliance will also set up a network of 90 charging stations in collaboration with EDF that can charge EVs from 0 to 80% capacity in about 30 minutes. Any residual transportation emissions during the talks will be offset under an accredited U.N. carbon offsetting program.

Currently, the Alliance has sold more than 274,000 EVs worldwide, representing 50% of on road EVs since late 2010.

Paris promotions

The talks in Paris are set to create an international agreement on how to tackle climate change. With that agreement in mind the conference is doing all it can to promote a zero-carbon footprint during the two week conference.

As well as zero-emission transportation vehicles, delegates can expect their carbon footprint to be offset by AccorHotels, even if they are staying in a rival hotel brand.

As the Paris talks loom closer, major companies outside the travel and hospitality sector are also announcing commitments to low carbon schemes. Companies including NIKE and Procter & Gamble are the latest to join RE100 an initiative where members commit to sourcing 100% renewable energy.

Goldman Sachs, Johnson & Johnson, Salesforce, Starbucks, Steelcase, Voya and Walmart have also signed up to the campaign, which has seen members rise from 12 to 36 just one year after launch.

The Paris talks have been labelled as one of the most important conferences in the history of mankind. Everything you need to know about COP21 is explained by edie here.

Matt Mace

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