Electric and fuel-cell vehicles have zero tailpipe CO2 emissions. At Nissan, we are working to develop these vehicles by taking advantage of the technology we have built up over our company's history, and encourage their widespread use.
Need for electric-powered vehicles
We have set ourselves the long-term target of a 70% reduction in CO2 emissions for new vehicles by 2050, compared with 2000 levels. To achieve this 70% reduction, we estimate that over half of the vehicles we sell in 2050 will need to be electric-powered vehicles such as electric vehicles and fuel-cell vehicles.
Nissan's long-range target for the introduction of electric-powered vehicles
- Electric vehicle (EV): A vehicle that uses a motor and battery as its power source
- Fuel-cell vehicle (FCV): A vehicle whose power source is electricity generated from hydrogen and oxygen
Both EVs and FCVs are clean vehicles that have no tailpipe emissions of CO2 or other gases.
- * Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV): A vehicle that runs with the combination of a gasoline engine and electric motor.
- * Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle: A hybrid vehicle that can be recharged using ordinary electric sockets.
Development and popularization of Electric Vehicles (EVs)
Nissan has been working to develop EVs in earnest since the 1960s, and has introduced and sold a number of these vehicles on the market. We are now working together with other industries to develop the necessary infrastructure for their more widespread use. We will introduce an all-electric vehicle in the United States and Japan in fiscal 2010 and then mass-market EVs to consumers globally in fiscal 2012.
* Photo: PIVO 2
"The PIVO 2", a next-generation concept EV displayed at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show
* Photo: Mixim
The Mixim, an electric sports car exhibited at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show
Powered by Nissan's "Super Motor" electric motor/generator and using compact lithium-ion batteries, Mixim has unusually rapid performance combined with a usefully extended rang
* Photo: NUVU
The NUVU, an electric car exhibited at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. Nissan's vision for the future of urban transportation is encapsulated in Nuvu, literally a 'new view' of the type of car. Nuvu incorporates a witty representation of Nissan's green credentials such as solar panels across its all-grass roof, natural, organic and recycled materials within the cabin.
Through an alliance with Renault, Nissan is also steadily developing infrastructure for the practical use of EVs worldwide.
An example of global infrastructure development
Nissan and Renault have teamed up with Project Better Place, a company that is working to create a global transportation infrastructure for EVs. Project Better Place plans to build and operate Electric Recharge Grids across Israel and Denmark and the Renault-Nissan Alliance will supply EVs for customers starting in 2011.
- Click here for more details on efforts being made in Israel
- Click here for more details on efforts being made in Denmark
The Renault-Nissan Alliance has begun ZEV initiatives in Israel, Denmark, Portugal and other cities and countries. Up-to-date Information will be shown in our News Release.
Development of Fuel-Cell Vehicles (FCVs)
Nissan fuel cell vehicles make use of technologies that have been developed in Nissan over the years, such as lithium-ion batteries and high voltage electric systems for electric vehicles, control technologies for hybrid vehicles, and high pressure gas storage systems for compressed natural gas vehicles.
Our aim is to develop a practical fuel cell vehicle with superior environmental and energy-saving performance, while preserving ease of use. In 2005, we achieved driving ranges and acceleration on a par with gasoline models with the X-Trail FCV. Nissan is actively involved in the development of such vehicles, and has been leasing FCVs on a limited basis in Japan.
In the early 2010s, we are planning to launch a next-generation FCV with an improved Nissan fuel-cell stack in North America and Japan.
* Photo: X-Trail FCV
The latest X-Trail FCV, which achieves driving range and acceleration on a par with a gasoline engine
Nissan pioneers fuel-cell limo
In February 2007, we delivered the latest X-Trail FCV to Kanagawa Toshi Kotsu Ltd. for use in their chauffer-driven hired-car fleet. This was the first time fuel-cell vehicles were made available for hired-car services anywhere in the world.
* Photo: X-Trail FCV used as a hired car
World's first fuel-cell-powered hired-car service begins
