Designed by Nissan’s London design team, the non-production EV hatchback (called Concept 20-23) with circular daytime running lights is compact – just what you’d expect carmakers to make for the European market.
Under its ‘Ambition 2030’ plan, Nissan says it will introduce 19 new electric vehicles globally, in addition to eight ‘electrified’ vehicles. The automaker plans to specifically accelerate the European market, where it says a third of its global EV sales take place.
Nissan says it now only sells hybrid and electric models in Europe – including the “e-Power” non-plugin hybrid Qashqai crossover and X-Trail compact SUV, as well as the Nissan Ariya EV and Townstar electric van.
Nissan’s next EVs in Europe include an EV version of the extra-compact Micra, which will act as Nissan’s entry-level model, and another yet-to-be-revealed car is planned for production at the carmaker’s Sunderland plant in the UK .
To support its ambitions of an all-electric offering, Nissan is developing plans to reduce battery costs by 65 percent by 2028. The plans include a move to cheaper chemistry that eschews cobalt (often considered the blood diamond of the tech world).
In that same time frame, Nissan is reiterating plans made last year to launch solid-state batteries that it says can reduce electric vehicle charging time “by up to a third” and reduce battery costs to $75 per kWh (and later $ 65). The U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office reported that batteries for mass-produced electric vehicles will cost about $153 per kWh in 2022. In 2021, Nissan announced plans to spend 2 trillion yen (about $17.6 billion) over five years to accelerate the development of electric vehicles worldwide.
Beyond Nissan’s promises for an all-electric offering this decade, the automaker hasn’t shown much progress. The automaker pioneered the electric vehicle market with its Nissan Leaf (which may be destined for the garbage bin), but hasn’t shown more of its EV progress than its good (although rather dull and safe) Ariya SUV. Hopefully we’ll soon see more of the promised new EVs that aren’t just concept convertibles.