The MOBI.E, which includes companies such as EDP, Efacec, Critical Software, Martifer and Siemens, is already working in partnership with Renault-Nissan and the Portuguese government to install a widespread recharging network and has already set up charging points in 25 cities across the country.

Now the consortium has taken delivery of nine Nissan LEAFs to set an example by become the first companies in Europe to run the LEAF on a commercial basis.

The keys to the cars were handed over to the CEOs of the nine companies in the consortium by Carlos Tavares, executive vice-president Nissan Motor Co, Ltd, Pierre Loing, vice president product strategy & planning Nissan International SA and Diogo Jardim, country director, Nissan Iberia SA – Portugal, at a ceremony in Lisbon.

At the ceremony, Mr Tavares also handed over a set of keys to the Portuguese government, which has taken a Nissan LEAF on loan for test-drive purposes.

Prime Minister José Sócrates, who accepted the keys on behalf of the government, said: 'We are extremely pleased to be introducing the electric vehicle in Portugal. After three years of collaborative work between the Government, public entities, the corporate consortium which developed the MOBI.E solution and Nissan, we have achieved the first smart, built-in charging network on a national scope, therefore we are the first country to welcome electric vehicles. By combining in a pioneer manner our commitment to renewable energies, the implementation of the smart charging network and the introduction of electric vehicles, Portugal will be in the lead of the transition to a more sustainable future.'