Nissan Shifts Away from ICE Funding, Amidst Rivals Focus on New Gas Engines

Jun 08, 2024 01:03 AM EDT

NISSAN SPORTSCAR DRIVING ON THE ROAD — (Photo : PEXELS/Deane Bayas)

Nissan is distinct from its competitors due to its unrelenting focus on making the shift to an entirely electric future, while rivals like Toyota, Mazda, and Subaru are concentrating more on improving the efficiency of next-generation ICE, or internal combustion engines.

Nissan has made the decisive decision to forgo investing in any new gasoline or diesel engine developments in order to focus entirely on adopting electric vehicle transportation.

Nissan, Not Joining the Pack for Next- Gen ICE

Amidst the trend of major car manufacturers investing in next-gen ICE, Nissan is taking its own path. Nissan shifts focus and stops funding gas engines. The company fully intended to divert resources as it transforms to all-electric vehicle lineup.

Nissan is gearing up to launch enhanced electric vehicles (EVs) lineup. This includes the highly anticipated next-gen LEAF EV. Additionally, the company has released revised business strategies meant to significantly increase EV sales.

Electrek has noted that Nissan has announced its plan to switch to all-electric vehicles in Europe by 2030. The carmaker has now officially stated that financing internal combustion engine (ICE) technologies is not planned going forward.

During a speech at Nissan's Sunderland facility, Francois Bailly, the senior vice president and chief planning officer for the AMIEO region, via Drive emphasized that the company's strategic focus is on EV technology.

He added that e-Power plays a vital role as an intermediary phase in this transformation, allowing each market to advance at its own rate.

Nissan said that it will no longer allot funds for internal combustion engine (ICE) powertrain technology. Electrek reported that Nissan plans to introduce six new electric vehicles in Europe.

This move is an attempt to capture forty percent of the market for electric cars. The business believes that future developments will lead to a 30% price drop for its next-generation electric vehicles.

Nissan's move to stop funding the development of new engines does not, per a report from Motor1.com, indicate that the company would soon switch to an all-electric car lineup. Bailley highlighted that certain regions, like Africa where Euro 2 cars are permissible, still have lenient emissions regulations.

Nissan plans to adapt its product offerings to comply with specific regional standards, indicating a gradual phasing out of internal combustion engines. It is probable that existing engines will undergo enhancements to meet more stringent emission requirements.

Latest Nissan Electric Vehicles

The initial plan for production for Nissan's two electric sedan was scheduled to begin in 2025. However, it was pushed back by a year.

As indicated in a report from InsideEVs, there is a possibility that these two sedans might reintroduce iconic names like Skyline and Maxima. Following an initial delay, subsequent supplier communications hinted at an additional three-month postponement for the two upcoming EVs.

The most recent details gathered by Automotive News now suggest a further two-month delay in the production commencement of these sedans.

Despite these delays, one thing is certain, Nissan will have two additional electric vehicles on its lineup soon. It's working its way towards its goal to becoming fully-electric by 2030.