Nissan's new all-electric vehicle, the Leaf, made a quiet appearance on Friday, showing off its nearly silent motor as it rolled about the Reliant Stadium parking lot and signaling what the city hopes may be the start of an electric movement on Houston's streets.

Mayor Annise Parker and representatives from Nissan and Houston's Reliant Energy were at the stadium to debut the car and offer details of their partnership, announced in November, to develop an electric-vehicle charging network around the city.

“With ongoing research and development of wind, solar and electric fuel sources, we are on the cusp of becoming the alternative energy capital of the world,” Parker said. “It is fitting that the city be a leader in increasing public awareness of environmentally friendly transportation alternatives like the Leaf.”

Parker said Houston's partnership with Nissan and Reliant will encourage residents to switch to zero emission vehicles and lower carbon electricity.

The city will add 25 electric vehicles to its fleet this year and will cut a number of its older, less fuel-efficient cars.

To support electric vehicles like the Leaf, which will be available in Houston toward year's end, the city and Reliant are working to create an infrastructure that places charging stations in convenient locations. Reliant will also be developing a system of support, including home assessments, for people installing home charging stations. The stations will be compatible with other plug-in vehicles as well.

The city has 10 charging stations around downtown, installed last November as part of a pilot program with Reliant to promote Houston as an electric car town while gathering information about drivers' charging patterns to use in expanding the system.

So far, the charging stations have clocked about 460 kilowatt-hours of use. Steve Kobb, president of the Houston Electric Auto Association, said that is a small number but reflects how few electric car owners are on Houston roads. He estimates that number as fewer than 20, because for now it's necessary to convert a conventional vehicle.

Gary Rasp of Plug-in Texas said that underscores the significance of the Leaf, an electric car that will be available on a commercial scale.

Still, Parker said the Leaf and other electric cars will have to be cost-competitive to attract Houston drivers.

“We are a car city, and to have a true zero emission vehicle that appeals to a car culture, that's what is going to be important,” she said.

Nissan won't disclose the price of the Leaf until spring, but Mark Perry, director of product planning at Nissan, said the price will be comparable to a well-equipped family sedan. The cars and home chargers also qualify for federal tax credits.

sharon.hong@chron.com