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Designed by Nissan\u2019s London design team, the non-production EV hatchback (called Concept 20-23) with circle daytime-running lights is compact \u2014 precisely like what you\u2019d expect carmakers to make for the European market.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Under its \u201cAmbition 2030\u201d plan, Nissan says it\u2019ll globally introduce 19 new electric vehicles alongside eight \u201celectrified\u201d vehicles. The automaker plans to fast-track the European market specifically, where it says a third of its global EV sales take place.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Nissan says it now only sells hybrid and electric models in Europe \u2014 including the \u201ce-Power\u201d non-plugin hybrid Qashqai crossover and X-Trail compact SUV as well as the Nissan Ariya EV and Townstar electric van. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Nissan\u2019s next EVs in Europe include an EV version of the extra compact Micra, which will act as Nissan\u2019s entry-level vehicle, and another yet to be revealed car is slated for manufacturing at the automaker\u2019s Sunderland plant in the UK.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
To support its ambitions of an all-electric lineup, Nissan is carving out plans to reduce battery costs by 65 percent by 2028. The plans include switching to lower-cost chemistries that eschew cobalt (often considered the blood diamond of the tech world).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
In that same timeframe, Nissan is reiterating plans made last year<\/a> that it will launch solid-state batteries that it says can reduce EV charging time \u201cto one-third\u201d and reduce battery costs down to $75 per kWh (and later $65). The US Department of Energy\u2019s Vehicle Technologies Office reported<\/a> that, in 2022, batteries for EVs produced at scale cost about $153 per kWh. In 2021, Nissan announced plans to spend 2 trillion yen<\/a> (around $17.6 billion) over five years to accelerate its EV development globally.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Besides Nissan\u2019s promises for an all-electric lineup this decade, the automaker hasn\u2019t shown much progress. The automaker was a pioneer in the electric vehicle market with its Nissan Leaf (which may be destined for the dustbin<\/a>) but has not shown more of its EV progress beyond its good<\/a> (if kind of boring and safe) Ariya SUV. Hopefully we\u2019ll see more of its promised new EVs soon that aren\u2019t just concept convertibles<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n