Nissan's British Shift to Full Electrification by 2030

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【Summary】Nissan plans to transition to all-electric vehicles in Britain by 2030, despite the UK government's delay in banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars until 2035. The company's CEO, Makoto Uchida, expressed commitment to the original deadline and stated that over a million customers have already embraced Nissan's electric vehicles. The government's decision to push back the ban has faced criticism from environmentalists, businesses, and some Tory MPs.

FutureCar Staff Sep 25, 2023 4:21 PM PT

Nissan's British Shift to Full Electrification by 2030

Nissan has announced its commitment to transitioning to all-electric vehicles by 2030, despite the UK government's decision to push back the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars to 2035. The CEO of Nissan, Makoto Uchida, stated that there is no going back now and that the company believes it is the right thing to do for their business, customers, and the planet. This move comes after years of efforts from car manufacturers to transition to electric vehicles by 2030 and has received criticism from environmentalists, businesses, international allies, and some Tory MPs.

Nissan, a major employer in the UK with 7,000 staff, unveiled its latest battery-powered car design in London and expressed its commitment to going all-electric in Europe by 2030. Downing Street has faced backlash from car manufacturers over its decision to push back the ban, with Ford UK chairman Lisa Brankin stating that it would threaten future investment in the UK and undermine ambition, commitment, and consistency. 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, made a U-turn on the ban, claiming that net zero targets would impose unacceptable costs on ordinary people. While the government has promised to reduce the UK's emissions of climate-warming greenhouse gases to net zero by 2050, they have opted for a more pragmatic and realistic approach. This decision followed the government's provision of millions in funding to car manufacturers to boost electric vehicle production. BMW-owned Mini reportedly received a £75m taxpayer subsidy to convert its factory in Oxford to all-electric by 2030, and Jaguar Land Rover received £500m in government funding to build an electric vehicle factory worth £4 million.