The oil capital of the United States will be a launch city for the new Nissan Leaf, an all-electric vehicle, thanks to a deal facilitated by Guy Mannino’s Verdek-EV.

Mannino’s Rome-based company has signed a contract with the city of Houston to provide the first networked charging stations for plug-in vehicles. The first plug-in station was unveiled Tuesday in front of the City Hall.

Mannino said “it’s quite impressive” that the oil capital of the U.S. is taking the lead in alternative energy and said that the ten charging stations are not so much a reflection of the use of electric vehicles in Houston, “but this is for what’s coming.”

The decision was made this past weekend that Nissan would use Houston as one of its roll-out cities next year for its new all-electric zero-emission vehicle, which will be called the Leaf.

Mannino said Coulomb Technologies manufactured the charging stations, which are called the ChargePoint Network. Mannino said he expects other Texas cities to follow Houston’s example in the near future.

James Tillman, assistant director of finance for the city of Houston, said, “We are very excited about the opportunities this system can bring to the city; electric cars and plug-in hybrids will definitely play a key role in future light-duty transportation.”

Mannino, former president of Pirelli North America, will be in Italy in the coming weeks, running the specs for the new Italian Tazzari ZERO all-electric car, which is being launched in two weeks.

His Verdek-EV will serve as the exclusive distributor for the vehicle, which will run on lithium-ion batteries that offer a range of 88 miles before recharging.

The ZERO will feature a sporty aluminum body and a removable sunroof, and it is being rolled out at the Bologna Italy International motor Show. Mannino said he expects to be able to start importing the vehicle in February of 2010.