The 2009 EVER conference and exhibition took place this weekend and provided the ideal opportunity to announce Monaco's continuing commitment to sustainable mobility.

EVER Monaco, the Principality's international conference and exhibition on ecological vehicles and renewable energies has grown bigger every year since it first took place in 2006, and this year was no exception. There were noticeably more cars on show in 2009, a reflection of Monaco's continued commitment to reducing car pollution and improving the environment. But the Principality's efforts are not just a show, as two recent partnerships testify.

First, an announcement was made during the opening ceremony of EVER that the Renault-Nissan Alliance will be supplying zero emission vehicles to Monaco from 2011. After this time the Government will require 50% of newly purchased public fleet vehicles to be zero-emission. The current vehicle charging network will be extended from 175 to 300 stations over the next 2 years, including 3 quick charge stations. Monaco will also continue to offer discounts to residents willing to buy electric vehicles and will develop further incentives for zero emission car users.

The second announcement follows on from Prince Albert's test drive in December last year of the Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle (i MiEV). A memorandum of understanding has been signed with Mitsubishi for a fleet of i MiEV test cars that will be used by local services such as the post office, telecom company, parking services, and even Monte Carlo SBM hotels and casinos. Daily use of the cars will be monitored so that any technical problems can be ironed out, and in order to investigate the vehicle's market potential.