LISBON, Nov 22: Portugal will build 1,300 charging stations for electric cars by the end of 2011 as part of a deal with Renault and Nissan to promote zero-emission vehicles, the government and the auto makers said on Saturday.

As part of the agreement with France’s Renault and its Japanese partner Nissan, Portugal will also decree that one-fifth of all its public fleet vehicle purchases be zero-emission starting in 2011.

Renault-Nissan will start deliveries to Portugal of its electric cars in early 2011, making Portugal the first European country to be supplied with electric vehicles from the alliance.

In 2012, Nissan and Renault will mass-market electric vehicles globally.

The financing and operation terms for the charging network are still being negotiated with the government and the private sector, officials said, without providing any cost estimates.

Prime Minister Jose Socrates said Portugal would offer tax incentives to make electric cars more attractive to buyers.

“The two main obstacles until now for people to choose electric cars were the price and autonomy. What the government decided to do is to create a framework in order to exclude these two inconveniences for buyers,” he said.

The state will provide an income tax benefit for private buyers of about 800 euros ($1,000) and also tax incentives for companies that convert to electric-powered vehicles. These benefits will start in late 2010 and will last at least five years.

Additional measures, such as reduced parking rates, preferential access and financing subsidies are being studied.

Carlos Tavares, executive vice-president of Nissan Motor Co, said the design of the electric car was concluded in September.—Reuters