Nissan is intensifying its efforts towards electrification by making a firm commitment to have all its vehicles sold in Europe be electric by 2030. This decision comes despite the UK delaying its ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars to 2035.
The head of Nissan expressed his belief that this move is the right course of action. However, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has voiced concerns that delaying the ban might lead consumers to postpone their transition to electric vehicles.
In addition to this commitment, Nissan is also planning to introduce new battery technology by the end of the decade. This technology is expected to reduce both the charging time and cost of electric vehicles (EVs).
Nissan’s CEO, Makoto Uchida, stated that the company aims to make electric vehicles more affordable for customers so that they are no more expensive than traditional petrol and diesel cars. He acknowledged that achieving price parity might take some time but expressed the company’s dedication to working on it in collaboration with technology partners and government support.
Regarding the timeline for achieving price parity, Mr. Uchida affirmed that it’s their goal to achieve this by 2030.
Furthermore, Nissan is fast-tracking the development of all-solid-state batteries (ASSB), which are anticipated to be lighter, more cost-effective, and quicker to charge. They plan to establish a pilot plant for ASSB in Japan next year and aim for mass production by 2028, despite the technical challenges involved.
Nissan holds a unique advantage as the only car manufacturer in the UK with its battery manufacturing capability. They previously announced a substantial investment of £1 billion to expand this facility adjacent to their Sunderland car plant, with a £100 million contribution from the government. This position sets Nissan apart from competitors who predominantly import their batteries from China.
