Life cycle Assessment (LCA)
Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) to reduce environmental impact
Nissan clarifies potential risks by conducting life cycle assessments (LCA) to quantitatively assess environmental impacts across the entire life cycle, including vehicle use, raw material extraction, manufacturing, transport, and reuse or end-of-life vehicle recycling.
Our LCA methods conform to international standards (ISO 14040 and ISO 14044), and in 2010, we obtained certification from the Japan Environmental Management Association for Industry. From 2013, we have been certified by the third-party organization TÜV Rheinland in Germany.
From 2026, we conduct assessments using methods that comply with international standards and are also consistent with industry standards.
CO2 emissions over the life cycle of ICE vehicles
Nissan is continuously improving internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle performance. DST (down-sizing turbo) engine is a one of examples, it is applied to new Juke and new X-trail (Rogue) and reduced around 10% CO2 emission due to substantial fuel economy improvement. The new Qashqai in Europe resulted approximately 20% CO2 reduction by appling mild-hybrid system. The new Pathfinder in US and new Serena in Japan, foundation technologies are applyed to reduce environmental impact like idling stop system, reducing several type of resistance, lighten vehicle weight etc. In addition, the new Murano in US has been updated with a wide cabin space and the latest technologies that represents ProPILOT, and the CO2 emissions have been reduced to the same level as the previous model by updating the powertrain etc.
Evaluation results from 2026 onward
For Carbon Footprint (CFP) assessments, Nissan applies a methodology in accordance with the industry-standard "JAMA's guideline on Carbon Footprint of Automotive Products" published by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA)*a. For the end-of-life (ELV) stage, in addition to evaluating environmental impacts, Nissan applies the CFF*b to assess the credits associated with material recycling and thermal recovery.
*1 Production in North America, 120,000 miles driven in North America (basis for comparison)
*2 Production in UK, 150,000 km driven in the EU (basis for comparison)
*3 Production in North America, 295,000 km driven in North America (basis for comparison)
*4 Production in Japan, 295,000 km driven in North America (basis for comparison)
*5 Production in Japan, 100,000 km driven in Japan (basis for comparison)
*6 Production in China, 139,000 km driven in China (basis for comparison)
*a JAMA's guideline on Carbon Footprint of Automotive Products: https://www.jama.or.jp/operation/ecology/LCA/pdf/JAMA_guidelines_CFP_2024_en.pdf
*b CFF (Circular footprint formula): CFF credits from material recycling are included in the "Production & Logistics" stage, while CFF credits from thermal recovery are included in the "ELV" stage.
CO2 emissions over the life cycle of e-POWER vehicles
Nissan introduced its new e-POWER powertrain in 2016, marking another significant milestone in the electrification strategy with life cycle emission improvements. Compared to their gasoline-powered counterpart models, Note e-POWER, Kicks e-POWER, Qashqai e-POWER, X-Trail e-POWER and Serena e-POWER emit approximately 20% less life cycle CO2.
Note e-Power which is launched in November 2020, improved simultaneously life cycle emissions and power efficiency by the second generation e-POWER. X-Trail e-POWER launched in July 2022 achieved all of powerful driving, quietness, feeling safe on every road condition and pleasant ride comfort, without environmental negative impact by second generation e-POWER, VC-Turbo engine and the e-4ORCE, an electric-drive four-wheel-control system. Serena e-POWER, launched in April 2023, reduced not only running but also production CO2 emission thanks to combination with second generation e-POWER with newly developed exclusive engine and low-CO2 blast furnace steel on several body structure parts which eliminates CO2 emissions from the manufacturing process. Qashqai e-POWER, launched in September 2025, achieves the highest fuel efficiency in the European C-segment crossover market through the adoption of the third-generation e-POWER. It also reduces lifecycle CO2 emissions.
CO2 emissions over the life cycle of electric vehicles
Since the launch of the world's first mass-produced electric vehicle Nissan Leaf in 2010, we have been committed to reducing environmental impact through expanding our EV lineup.
Nissan Ariya launched in 2022 achieves both further improvement of EV product performance and reduction of environmental impact. It extends EV driving range and reduces lifecycle CO2 emissions by approximately 20% compared to same segment gasoline-powered models in Japan. Nissan SAKURA reduces approximately 20% lifecycle CO2. It keeps compact body, but also implemetns enough EV driving range for daily use and affordable price to accelerate EV spreading. The third-generation Nissan Leaf launched in 2025 features an increased battery capacity, however, its lifecycle CO2 emissions are approximately 30% lower than the same class gas-powered vehicle in Japan.
Nissan Leaf and Nissan Ariya produced in Japan are manufactured at the Tochigi plant which incorporates the "Nissan Intelligent Factory" concept—an initiative dedicated to achieving carbon neutrality.
Nissan Intelligent Factory
https://www.nissan-global.com/EN/INNOVATION/TECHNOLOGY/ARCHIVE/NIF/
