Japanese automaker Nissan will be showcasing its line of zero-emission electric vehicles at the UEFA Champions League final game in Milan to be held on May 28. The vehicles will be used to transport guests and officials throughout the weekend.

The company will also be transporting the iconic UEFA Champions League trophy in a specially designed e-NV200 all electric trophy van to the fan festival at Duomo di Milano on Thursday 26th May where it will remain until the big match. Ahead of the final, a unique Nissan Leaf will take the trophy to the San Siro stadium as part of the UEFA Trophy Parade.

In partnership with Italian utility company A2A, Nissan will be installing 17 public EV rapid chargers around Milan and its surrounding airports. 13 of these will remain free of charge following the UEFA Champions League Final weekend.

Gareth Dunsmore, director of electric vehicles for Nissan Europe, said: “The final in Milan this weekend marks the climax of another exciting year partnering with the UEFA Champions League – the most prestigious football tournament in the world. We began this journey last season and we were delighted to provide electric vehicles and charging points in Berlin, a journey we look to continue at the final this year in Milan. The great relationship we have with UEFA means we have been able to provide something long lasting and positive to both cities during our first two seasons as a sponsor of the UEFA Champions League.

“Poor air quality and increasing greenhouse gas emissions are very real challenges facing cities all over the world, including Milan. Zero emission vehicles provide a tangible solution to these challenges, and the fast charge stations built by Nissan in Milan will be decisive regarding the take up of all-electric mobility and will be left behind after the final for the public.”

Nissan’s project in partnership with A2A promotes clean, sustainable mobility in a significant metropolitan area of Europe by offering one of the most advanced infrastructure networks, according to a press release.

Last week the Milan town council inaugurated the Nissan project for the installation of 12 rapid chargers on municipality area in partnership with A2A. The initiative represents the largest fast charge infrastructure installation in a single city in Italy. This week 2 rapid chargers will be installed at Malpensa airport and a further 3 at Linate airport, one of which will remain after the UEFA Champions League Final.

Nissan was the first automaker to launch a mass-market, 100 per cent electric vehicle with the introduction of the Nissan Leaf in 2010. The Leaf still remains the best-selling all-electric vehicle of all time, globally.

Earlier this year, Nissan reaffirmed its status as a leader in the development of zero emission technology with the launch of the Nissan Leaf 30 kWh which goes 26 per cent further than the previous model, delivering up to 250 km of driving range on a single charge, beating all of its competitors within the segment, the press release added. –TradeArabia News Service