Blog Posts

Nov 29, 2021

by Karl Furlong Industry News / Comments

Solid-state batteries and a brace of new EVs are coming.

For Nissan, the Ariya is just one stepping stone to its electrified future, a future that has come into sharp focus with the brand's unveiling of its Ambition 2030 vision. One or two new EVs aren't going to cut it for manufacturers under pressure to adhere to tightening emissions regulations. Besides revealing four new electrified concepts, Nissan's Ambition 2030 vision went a lot further.

The brand will launch 23 new electrified models, 15 of which are EVs, as it aims for a 50% electrification mix by the 2030 fiscal year. Nissan is one of the pioneers of EVs, a fact backed up by the tremendous success of the Leaf. But it's now time for the brand to expand its EV offerings.

Although 2030 is a big goal, consumers will see many new electrified Nissans before then. Over the next five years, the company will introduce 20 new EV and e-Power equipped models.

By the 2026 fiscal year, Nissan will increase its electrification sales mix by over 75% of sales in Europe. There are different goals for the United States, with an increase of 40% of EV sales by 2030. These numbers apply to both Nissan and Infiniti models.

"With Nissan Ambition 2030, we will drive the new age of electrification, advance technologies to reduce [our] carbon footprint, and pursue new business opportunities," said Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida. "We want to transform Nissan to become a sustainable company that is truly needed by customers and society."

Over the next five years, Nissan will invest 2 trillion yen - the equivalent of around $8.8 billion - to accelerate electrification across its lineup. The other big news on the EV front for Nissan will be advancing battery technologies. Not only does the brand intend to introduce cobalt-free technology to reduce battery costs by 65% by 2028, but it will also launch its proprietary all-solid-state batteries (ASSB) by the 2028 fiscal year.

The benefits of solid-state batteries are clear, and Nissan wants to have a pilot plant ready in Yokohama by fiscal year 2024.

ASSB can lower charging times to one-third and can help the brand attain cost parity between EVs and gas-powered vehicles. Further to this, Nissan hopes to increase its global battery production capacity to 52 GWh by 2026 and to 130 GWh by 2030. By 2030, Nissan wants nearly all its models to enjoy the benefits of next-generation LiDAR technology.

The final part of Nissan's plan will be to expand its EV Hub concept, EV36Zero, into markets like China and the US. EV36Zero will help Nissan achieve carbon neutrality and also ensure that battery sustainability is a priority.

Exciting new EVs, the promise of solid-state batteries, and a focus on sustainability will make this a decade of transformation for Nissan.