Nissan Establishes Zero Emission Fund

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced the launch of the Nissan Zero Emission Fund, a new fund for individual Nissan electric vehicle (EV) owners in Japan which converts the amount of CO2 emissions that are offset by driving the 100% electric Nissan LEAF to generate credits. Through participation in this fund program, Nissan LEAF owners will be able to generate CO2 emissions credits certified by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and sold to the Green Investment Promotion Organization, an organization that promotes investment in low carbon emissions. The system calculates and certifies the amount of CO2 emissions that are avoided by driving zero-emissions vehicles. Profits earned by the sale of the credits will be invested by the fund to support the installation of quick charging facilities and forest conservation activities to accelerate the realization of a zero-emission society. Nissan will engage in forest conservation efforts together with "more trees," a generally incorporated foundation in Japan. Nissan and more trees will use part of the profits generated by the fund to facilitate conservation of thinning forests in Japan that need reforestation, to be designated "LEAF Forests." The Nissan LEAF, launched in Japan in December 2010, emits no CO2 gas when operated—unlike conventional gasoline powered vehicles. The Nissan Zero Emission Fund is a platform where the distance that every participating Nissan LEAF owner drives is converted to a credit that recognizes the CO2 emissions that are offset based on the average CO2 emitted by a gasoline powered vehicle. The total annual CO2 emissions that are avoided by driving the LEAF will be converted into credits and sold to the Green Innovation Promotion Organization. As the amount of offset CO2 emissions is calculated according to the distance traveled, the more that Nissan LEAF owners participate, the more CO2 emissions are reduced, and this ultimately will contribute toward the installation of quick chargers as well as environmental conservation through the Nissan Zero Emission Fund. The Nissan LEAF's total annual distance traveled is automatically collected by the NISSAN CARWINGS Data Center through its continuous on-board communication unit. This communication technology provides more accurate driving data and delivers greater convenience to Nissan LEAF owners in order to optimize their EV driving experience. Nissan Zero Emission Fund Overview Target users: Nissan LEAF owners who subscribe to the CARWINGS for EV, Nissan's car navigation ICT system Use of certified credits: 1) To help expand the quick-charging infrastructure and facilitate faster adoption of zero-emission vehicles 2) To assist with reforestation/environmental conservation activities and other activities Co-implementer (the organization to which credits are sold): Green Investment Promotion Organization Use of profits The CO2 emissions credits sold through the Nissan Zero Emission Fund will be used for the management of the Fund and the following purposes: 1. Installation of quick charging units Quick charging facilities will be installed in appropriate locations in Japan on a needs-basis to help realize a zero-emission society, expand the adoption of electric vehicles, and offer greater convenience for EV owners. 2. Forest conservation Forests in Japan that need to be conserved will be restored as "LEAF Forests." In fiscal 2012, forest conservation activities will be conducted in the following areas which have reservoirs supplying water to residents of Tokyo and Yokohama City, Kanagawa prefecture:Tabayama-mura, Kosuge-mura and Doushi-mura in Yamanashi prefecture Forest conservation areas will be gradually expanded in line with the level of profits earned by the fund.