Nissan: Attempting a comeback with electric cars

Contents

Nissan is only a shadow of its former success on the European market. The brand wants to return to success with a new strategy, but this will not be easy. This is to be achieved with new electric cars, an improved hybrid drive and innovations in autonomous driving as well as batteries with solid electrolyte.

It started promisingly: in 2010, Nissan presented the battery-electric Leaf, which was the world's best-selling electric car for a few years. The Ariya e-SUV, on the other hand, only managed to convince a few buyers. Obviously, something has to change fundamentally at Nissan, otherwise the company has an even bigger problem than it already has.

Micra only as an electric car

This year will see the return of the Micra small car, which will only be available as an electric car in future. It uses the AmpR Small platform, on which the Renault R5 is also based. Here, as there, the small car will be offered with two batteries with 40 and 52 kWh. The maximum range in the WLTP should be more than 400 km. The small battery can be charged with up to 80 kW, the large one with a maximum of 100 kW. An alternating current of 11 kW is possible. Not yet confirmed, but it is very likely that Nissan will also adopt the drives from the R5. The base model would then have 90 kW, the top-of-the-range model 110 kW. Other drive configurations could follow.

Leaf comes again – as an SUV

The third generation of the Leaf will also be arriving at German dealerships this year. Nissan is positioning it as an SUV which, like the Ayira, is based on the CMF EV platform. It is therefore possible that it will also take over the drives and batteries from the significantly larger Ayira. This is currently available with 160 to 320 kW engine power and batteries with an energy content of between 63 and 87 kWh. Next year, the Juke is set to enter the next generation, again with a polarizing design. It will also be available exclusively as an electric car in future.

Nissan has been offering a serial hybrid drive in the Qashqai since 2022. The combustion engine drives a generator that supplies the electric drive with electricity. Nissan promises that a minor revision will reduce consumption and "bring the driving experience of an electric car even closer". The switch to at least one purely battery-electric drive will not be made in the Qashqai until the next model change at the earliest.

Battery with solid electrolyte

Nissan wants to work more intensively on the topics of autonomous driving and batteries with solid electrolyte. Both are costing billions in development, so Nissan will not be able to avoid further cooperation. This is why there is a joint venture with the Chinese manufacturer Dongfeng for batteries. This is unlikely to relate solely to these solid-state batteries: Nissan cannot afford to wait for competitive prices for this type of storage.

Level 4 is said to be under discussion for autonomous driving. This would mean that a corresponding model would be able to handle all situations in at least one scenario without driver intervention. This would be a big step, and not just for the Nissan brand. Currently, a maximum of Level 3 is available in a few production cars: Here, the car can drive alone in at least one scenario, but the driver must be able to take control with a short span of a few seconds. Nissan can currently deliver a maximum of Level 2 – The driver is supported in maintaining distance and lane keeping and always remains in charge. Nissan has not yet revealed which model will offer significantly more in this respect. For the time being, the brand's main focus is likely to be on reaching a larger number of buyers again with the announced new releases.

(mfz)