The sales of the Nissan LEAF model have reached 100 000 units on the Japanese market 8 years after the launch of the original model in 2010. Total sales worldwide reached 320 000 cars. And now Nissan is planning to introduce 3 more electric car models and 5 e-POWER models in addition to the planned launch of 12 electric cars in cooperation with Renault and Mitsubishi by 2022 within their M.O.V.E. program.
This program is focusing on the development of pure electric units and bringing them among other things to China under different brands, electrifying Infinity models from 2021, introducing small kei-type electric cars, and equipping 20 models with autonomous driving technology. However, today the “pure” part of Nissan’s electric cars remains blurred by the definition of provided by Nissan.
In fact, these are not exactly electric cars. Nissan also includes e-POWER powertrains within the scope of its “pure” electric units, and those are initially powered by gas. Technically sealing, these are hybrid units powertrains equipped with the gas generator that is powering the battery. The battery feeds electric motor. Both LEAF and e-POWER units have no plug to be charged directly from the power source. Thus, these cars are relying on the gas to charge their batteries.
Nissan is aiming to sell 1 million electric vehicles and e-POWER units worldwide per year by 2022.
Yes, these models are more efficient than the usual gas-driven cars. However they still cannot be called electric, but rather electrified. And even that is may also not be a good definition for a fully gas-dependant model. Such an approach can be a bad choice from in a long-time perspective since chances are high that by 2022 other car makers will be able to deliver fully electrified units. Moreover, Honda and Toyota are exploring hybrids and fuel cell hydrogen options which are also creating great competition for e-Power units on the market.
Nevertheless, Nissan is aiming to sell 1 million EVs and e-POWER units worldwide per year by the due date of the M.O.V.E. plan. The launch of the 3 new models has been long awaited and those cars will be warmly welcomed.
What is your opinion on the situation? Have you ever had any experience with electric cars or hybrid units? We would love to hear your take on the electric cars and its market in the comment section below.
As the world faces the upcoming shortage of fossil fuel and severe air pollution, companies are focusing on the clean energy technologies to challenge the climate change and contribute to nature preservation.
