BOSTON - The Renault-Nissan Alliance announced that Nissan is entering into an agreement with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to promote development of an electric-vehicle charging network and policies to support widespread adoptions of electric cars. 

The announcement was made at the Museum of Science in Boston, a stop on the Nissan Leaf Zero-Emission Tour.

"Zero-emission mobility is the ultimate solution for addressing questions of climate change and energy independence," said Carlos Tavares, chairman of Nissan Americas. "We applaud the state of Massachusetts for leading the way for the reduction of greenhouse gases." 

Tavares added that the company looked forward to bringing the Nissan Leaf all-electric car to motorists in the state.  

As part of the agreement, Nissan and Massachusetts will develop plans to promote a charging infrastructure for electric cars that encourages home and workplace charging, as well as a public charging infrastructure. The partners will work to coordinate the establishment of policies and help streamline charging infrastructure deployment. Nissan also has agreed to make available a supply of electric vehicles statewide.

The agreement is part of the state's broad initiative to encourage development and deployment of electric-vehicle technology in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote energy independence.

"Electric-vehicle technology is a significant way to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and expand our clean energy economy," said Energy and Environment Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles. "We look forward to the day when it's just as routine -- or more so -- to plug in the car for recharging as it is to fill up the gas tank."

The Nissan Leaf, a five-passenger all-electric car, will be available for private and fleet customers. It is being launched in the U.S., Japan and Europe in late 2010.