AMSTERDAM, 24/08/10 - The number of recharging points for electric vehicles in Amsterdam will be drastically expanded in the coming years. The city executive will shortly conclude an agreement with auto-maker Nissan/Renault, Het Parool newspaper reported yesterday.

According to the paper, Amsterdam is promising to boost the number of recharging points from around 100 this autumn to up to 2,000. Nissan/Renault is promising to bring new electric cars on the Dutch market at least in the course of next year which compete on price and quality with petrol and diesel cars.

Next week, the council will handle a proposal from the city administration to start a tendering procedure for up to 2,000 recharging points. There are currently only 150 vehicles making use of recharging points in the city, but the capital is opting for a supply-driven model.

According to the municipality, other auto-makers as well as Nissan/Renault are interested in the launch of new series of electric vehicles in Amsterdam. Last year, the then alderman, leftwing Green (GroenLinks) Marijke Vos launched plans targeting 5 percent of the Amsterdam car fleet electric by 2015. This would be a matter of ten thousand vehicles.