Renault-Nissan, A2A in Italian electric car accord

MILAN, July 2 (Reuters) - The Renault-Nissan Alliance and Italian regional utility A2A SpA (A2.MI) have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop zero-emission electric vehicles in Italy on a large scale, the companies.

In a joint statement on Thursday the Franco-Japanese alliance and A2A said in a 2010 pilot phase the project would involve the cities of Milan and Brescia.

Renault (RENA.PA) and Nissan (7201.T) are talking with governments, local authorities and power companies in many countries with a view to selling their electric cars before 2012, they said.

The alliance has already signed over 30 agreements worldwide and aims to launch the first electric car in 2010.

"The partnership with A2A represents an important step towards the launch of Renault electric vehicles ... and the concrete realisation of zero-emission vehicles in Italy," Renault Italia Managing Director Jacques Bousquet said in the statement.

Electric vehicles are meant to be cheaper to run than regular cars and cut down carbon dioxide emissions.

A2A was created at the start of 2008 from the merger of the Milan and Brescia utilities. (Reporting by Stephen Jewkes; Editing by Jon Loades-Carter)