Nissan announced that all new models launched by the automaker in Europe going forward will be all-electric going forward, as the company aims to achieve 100% EVs in Europe by 2030.

The announcement follows Nissan’s launch in 2021 of its “Ambition 2030 Vision,” which placed vehicle electrification at the core of its long-term strategy, with plans for 2 nearly $18 billion of investments over five years, focused on building out its EV lineup and technology innovation.

Makoto Uchida, Nissan President and CEO said:

“EVs powered by renewables are key to us achieving carbon neutrality, which is central to our Ambition 2030 vision. Nissan will make the switch to full electric by 2030 in Europe – we believe it is the right thing to do for our business, our customers and for the planet.”

The transition to electric vehicles is considered essential to reaching global emissions targets. According to the International Energy Agency, private cars and vans were responsible for 10% of CO2 emissions in 2022. In Europe, between 2018-2022, sales of electric and electrified vehicles rose from 5% of the total market to 44%, with sales of all-electric vehicles rising from 1% to 12% of the total market.

Nissan’s 2030 deadline would place the automaker 5 years ahead of the EU’s target requiring a 100% reduction in CO2 emissions from new cars and vans registered in the EU from 2035, as well as the UK’s recently revised 2035 ban on petrol and diesel car sales. 

The transition to electric vehicles has been slower than hoped for, largely because of EVs price tag relative to cars that run on fossil fuels. Nissan said that it aims to launch EVs with its proprietary all-solid-state batteries (ASSB) by fiscal year 2028, which the company expects to bring the cost of battery packs down to $75 per kWh by fiscal year 2028, with a goal to bring it further down to $65 per kWh to achieve cost parity between EV and gasoline vehicles in the future.

Nissan also aims to introduce cobalt-free technology to bring down the cost of EV batteries by 65% by fiscal year 2028.

Uchida added:

“EV is the ultimate mobility solution. More than a million customers have already joined our journey and experienced the fun of a Nissan electric vehicle, and there is no turning back now.”