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VINCI autoroutes and Renault team up to develop the electric vehicle in France

VINCI Autoroutes and Renault are joining forces to deploy electric vehicle charging infrastructure, along with the associated services, on the motorway network operated by VINCI Autoroutes. The partnership covers three areas of cooperation:

- VINCI Autoroutes will draw on Renault's expertise to install electric vehicle charging stations in carpool parking lots. At least five spaces will be set aside for electric vehicles in each lot. VINCI Autoroutes' companies will build 738 carpool parking spaces between now and 2013.

- In addition VINCI Autoroutes and Renault will work on installing quick-charging infrastructures in some motorway service plazas. This program will focus on the sections of the VINCI Autoroutes network most commonly used for short-distance journeys, particularly commuting. Three such sections are Paris - Orléans - Tours, Paris - Chartres - Le Mans and Arles - Montpellier.

- VINCI Autoroutes plans to add electric vehicles to its operating fleet.

The aim is to carry out the first tangible operations by the end of 2011.

These initiatives stem from the signature by VINCI and Renault of the national charter for the installation of public infrastructures for electric vehicle charging. The charter was signed on April 13, 2010 at the instigation of the ministers responsible for the environment, transportation and industry.

Commenting, André Broto, Executive Vice President of VINCI Autoroutes, said: "The partnership with Renault shows that we are determined to be an assertive player in the sphere of sustainable mobility by offering customers motorways that are safer, more user-friendly and more environment-protective and encouraging them to drive differently".

Bernard Cambier, Senior Vice President, Market Area France, added: "I am delighted with the partnership with VINCI Autoroutes for at least two reasons. First, we are demonstrating that the electric vehicle is also suitable for inter-city motorway journeys, provided the charging infrastructure is in place. Second, VINCI Autoroutes has chosen Renault for its electric vehicle fleet. This further proves the relevance of our strategy of offering a full range of four electric vehicles aimed both at business customers and at individuals".

About VINCI Autoroutes

VINCI Autoroutes, which comprises ASF, Cofiroute, Escota and Arcour, is Europe's leading motorway operator. Its 4,384 km network accounts for nearly half of the French network under concession. Harnessing its corporate performance to serve the public interest, VINCI Autoroutes is working to make motorways safer, more user-friendly and more environment-protective. VINCI Autoroutes is rising to the challenge of sustainable mobility by taking action to support any initiative that helps improve the performance of its network.

A propos de Renault

Present on all continents with over 30 production sites and 18,000 business sites in 118 countries, Renault designs, produces and sells a broad range of innovative vehicles that with each new generation are increasingly safe and more respectful of the environment. a full range of four Renault Z.E.* electric vehicles  accessible to all: Kangoo Z.E., Fluence Z.E., Twizy and ZOE. The first vehicles in the range will appear in the showrooms in Fall 2011. Renault and the Alliance had signed more than 100 partnerships agreement at end June 2011 with public authorities and stakeholders in regions throughout the world to foster the development and marketing of the electric vehicle.

* zero emissions in use