Nissan launched today (11 June) an initiative called the “Nissan Zero Emission Fund” for individual Leaf electric vehicle (EV) owners in Japan, says a company press release.

Through participation in this fund programme, Leaf owners will be able to generate carbon credits equivalent to the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted annually had they been driving conventional gasoline (petrol) vehicles. These carbon credits, certified by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), will be then sold to the Green Investment Promotion Organization that promotes investment in green technologies.

Profits earned by selling these credits will be invested by the fund to accelerate the development of zero-emission infrastructure in Japan, including installation of quick charging facilities and forest conservation activities.

Nissan aims to generate carbon credits of up to 10,000 tonnes this year, including new Leafs to be sold in fiscal year (FY) 2012. With credits expected to fetch JPY1,500 per tonne, Nissan aims to eventually generate annual credits worth JPY100 million. Meanwhile, Toyota’s small-car unit Daihatsu has said it will be able to comply with Kansai Electric’s request to reduce power consumption at its plants in the western Japan region of Kansai this summer by 15% from the level in 2010 to cope with possible electricity supply shortages.

The company plans to take steps like raising the power output of a cogeneration system at its Shiga plant, more efficient line operations, and controlling the air pressure supplied to its plants.

Source: cospp