Nissan: Back on Track with High Ambitions

Growing EV Share through New Models

The AMIEO region (Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania) is thus taking a leading role in implementing the plan, it further states. The company aims to offer climate-neutral products throughout their entire lifecycle by 2050. In Europe, by the end of the 2023 fiscal year, there will be an electrified powertrain option for all passenger cars, and three years later, electrified models are expected to make up more than 75 percent of total sales in the region. A decisive role is played by the gradual expansion of the product portfolio. A preview is offered by the newly presented Chill-Out concept vehicle, which hints at the next generation of a fully electric crossover model. Based on the CMF-EV platform of the Renault alliance, it is supposed to combine high performance with equally high driving stability and control. Other features include an elegant and modern design, a practical interior, exceptional aerodynamics, and numerous advanced technologies that are intended to elevate safety and efficiency to a new level. Additionally, three more concept vehicles were introduced, representing the next generation of electrified models: an electric pick-up, a compact car, and an open sports car. 

Building on the Early Success of the Leaf

Building on the success of the Nissan Leaf, the world’s first mass-market electric car, the Japanese automaker plans to soon present its so-called e-Power powertrain for the Qashqai and X-Trail crossover models. With the market launch of the fully electric coupé-crossover Ariya and the fully electric offshoot of the compact transporter series Townstar, the goal of an electrified European product range is getting ever closer. In addition to the existing battery reconditioning facilities in its homeland, further locations outside Japan are planned, already by the 2022 fiscal year in Europe. Moreover, the manufacturer aims to fully commercialize its Vehicle-to-Everything and home battery systems by the mid-2020s.

“In the last ten years, Europe has been a leader in the transition to electromobility. As part of our vision for the next decade, we aim to accelerate this development with new products and technologies and enhance the driving experience for Nissan customers,” explains Guillaume Cartier, Chairman of the Nissan AMIEO region.

He promises not only an electrified version for all passenger car models in Europe but also the supply of the "EV Hub" in the UK with 100 percent renewable energy and new battery reconditioning facilities in Europe. The European arm is to act as a pioneer on the path to full electrification and CO2 neutrality, supporting teams and products in other markets worldwide, Cartier further outlined.

23 EV Models by 2030, but Only 15 Fully Electric

By the 2030 fiscal year, a total of 23 new electrified models are to be introduced, including 15 fully electric cars. The electrified vehicles are then expected to make up more than 50 percent of Nissan and Infiniti’s total global sales. With the introduction of 20 new models with electric or e-POWER drive, Nissan aims to increase the EV share by the 2026 fiscal year in all major markets, to more than 75 percent of total sales in Europe, more than 55 percent in Japan, over 40 percent in China, and also over 40 percent in the USA by the 2030 fiscal year.

“We are proud of our long history of innovation and our role in the fully electric revolution. With our new vision, we are driving the faster transition to electric cars: We want to delight customers with an attractive offer, promote the acceptance of electric cars, and thus create a cleaner world,” said Nissan COO Ashwani Gupta.

Lithium Batteries without Cobalt

The Japanese automaker also aims to further develop the lithium-ion battery and introduce a cobalt-free technology to reduce costs by 65 percent by the 2028 fiscal year. By then, the brand’s electric vehicles should also roll out with the in-house solid-state batteries (All-Solid-State Batteries - ASSB). A pilot plant is expected to be established near the global company headquarters in Yokohama, Japan, by the 2024 fiscal year. According to the manufacturer, the ASSBs improve performance and range and shorten the charging time by a third, further increasing the attractiveness of electric vehicles, making them viable in all vehicle segments.

Cost Equality with Gasoline Cars within Reach

The Japanese expect that the costs for battery packs will also fall to 75 US dollars (around 67 euros) per kilowatt-hour (kWh) through ASSBs by the 2028 fiscal year. In perspective, the company even aims for a reduction to 65 US dollars (around 58 euros) per kWh to achieve cost parity between electric vehicles and gasoline cars in the future. To meet the growing demand for electric vehicles, a global battery supply system is also planned. In collaboration with various partners, the global battery production capacity is to be expanded to 52 GWh by the 2026 fiscal year, and to 130 GWh within four more years.

Driver Assistance: On the Way to Autonomous Driving for All

Driver assistance systems are also being further developed as part of the plan. The so-called ProPILOT for semi-automated driving is expected to be used in more than 2.5 million Nissan and Infiniti models by the 2026 fiscal year. Progress is also expected through lidar systems, which all new model generations will feature by the 2030 fiscal year. To meet the different transport needs in various countries, Nissan will work with multiple partners who are best suited to these needs, it further states. New services should enable more efficient mobility in cities and more sustainable mobility in rural areas.