Nissan Scores Its First Fuel Cell Vehicle Commercial Lease

Nissan's X-TRAIL Fuel Cell Vehicle (FCV) has graduated from a demonstration status to a full-lease status thanks to the Sacramento Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Inc. Beginning with a one-year lease, and an option for two more, Coca-Cola will use the vehicle for sales calls and public events.

Nissan had used FCVs in demonstration fleets in Japan and in California through the California Fuel Cell Partnership.

The Nissan X-TRAIL FCV, based on the X-TRAIL SUV, is available in Mexico, Japan and Europe. It is fitted with a Nissan-developed compact fuel cell stack, a compact Lithium-ion battery and a high-pressure hydrogen storage cylinder. Versions of this generation X-TRAIL FCV are capable of speeds in excess of 95 miles per hour, with a cruising range of up to 300 miles.

The car is part of the company's Green Program 2010 which includes a range of eco-friendly technologies -- including electric vehicles, hybrid and improved internal combustion engines.

Nissan North America recently opened a new Fuel Cell Laboratory at the Nissan Technical Center in Farmington Hills, Mich. The new lab will support other global Nissan research centers and will work with suppliers and universities on various related fuel cell projects.

For more information on Nissan's program visit www.nissan-global.com/EN/ENVIRONMENT/GREENPROGRAM_2010