Nissan is embarking on an accelerated journey towards electrification, pledging that all its vehicles sold in Europe will be electric by 2030. This bold move comes even as the UK postpones its ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035.
Makoto Uchida, Nissan’s CEO, expressed the company’s commitment to this transition, stating, “Nissan will make the switch to full electric by 2030 in Europe. We believe it is the right thing to do for our business, our customers, and for the planet.”
Despite the delay in the UK’s ban, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has raised concerns that consumers might postpone the shift to electric vehicles.
Nissan is not only focused on electrifying its fleet but is also working on introducing new battery technology by the end of the decade. This technology aims to significantly reduce both the charging time and the cost of electric vehicles (EVs).
Mr. Uchida discussed the company’s goal of making electric vehicles more affordable for customers, aiming to bring their cost on par with petrol and diesel cars in the coming years. He stated, “It may take a bit of time, but we are looking at the next few years. We are looking at it from the point of view of the technology, from the point of view of cooperating with suppliers, and of course working with the government on how we can deliver that kind of cost competitiveness to the consumer.”
When asked about the possibility of achieving price parity with traditional vehicles by 2030, Mr. Uchida confirmed, “That’s what we’re aiming for.”
Additionally, Nissan is expediting the development of all-solid-state batteries (ASSB), a different battery technology that offers advantages such as being lighter, cheaper, and quicker to charge. Mr. Uchida revealed, “We are going to have a pilot plant for ASSB in Japan from next year, and we want to ensure they can be mass-produced by 2028.”
Nissan’s significant advantage lies in having its own battery manufacturing capability in the UK, with plans for a substantial expansion of the facility next to its Sunderland car plant. The UK government has contributed £100 million to this project. This positions Nissan favorably compared to other automakers that primarily import their batteries from China.
As post-Brexit trading rules are set to take effect, requiring vehicles made in the UK or EU to source 45% of their components by value from the UK or EU to avoid tariffs, some automakers have expressed concerns about meeting this threshold. Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has conveyed the government’s optimism about securing a deferral for this requirement to accommodate the readiness of battery supply plants.
Last Updated: 25 September 2023
