Nissan's 2030 electric transition in Britain unaffected by Sunak net zero delay

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【Summary】Nissan plans to become all-electric in Britain by 2030, despite the UK government's delay in implementing a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars until 2035. Nissan's CEO, Makoto Uchida, stated that the company is committed to the initial deadline set by the prime minister and believes there is no turning back. The government's decision to delay the ban has faced criticism from environmentalists, businesses, and some Tory MPs.

FutureCar Staff Sep 25, 2023 9:16 AM PT

Nissan's 2030 electric transition in Britain unaffected by Sunak net zero delay

Nissan has announced its commitment to becoming an all-electric car manufacturer by 2030, despite the UK government's decision to delay the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars until 2035. The chief executive of Nissan, Makoto Uchida, stated that there is no going back now and that the company will adhere to the initial deadline set by the prime minister. This move has attracted criticism from environmentalists, businesses, international allies, and some Tory MPs, as it goes against the efforts of car manufacturers to transition to electric vehicles by 2030.

Nissan, which employs 7,000 staff across three sites in the UK, including its main manufacturing hub in Sunderland, unveiled its latest battery-powered car design in London. Uchida emphasized that going all-electric by 2030 in Europe is the right thing to do for their business, customers, and the planet. Downing Street has faced backlash from car manufacturers, with Ford UK chairman Lisa Brankin stating that pushing back the deadline to 2035 would jeopardize future investment in the UK.

The ban on new petrol and diesel car sales was initially announced by Boris Johnson in November 2020, and as recently as July, the government described the date as immovable. However, Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, reversed the ban, citing unacceptable costs on ordinary people. Despite this, the prime minister remains committed to achieving net zero emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050, but with a more pragmatic and realistic approach. The government has provided funding to car manufacturers, such as Mini and Jaguar Land Rover, to boost the production of electric vehicles.