Concerns about the environment and rising fuel costs have made electric vehicles more prevalent than ever. To stay ahead of competitors and please consumers, Nissan is revamping its electric car efforts. Check out this guide for the latest news about Nissan’s plan to go electric.
The Pioneer of Electric Vehicles
Nissan was one of the pioneering manufacturers of electric vehicles. The fully electric LEAF model came out in late 2010 in Japan and the United States and hit other international markets in 2011. It was a commercial success and received recognition with a Green Car Vision Award and Popular Mechanics’ 2010 Breakthrough Award.
The Late Release of the ARIYA
Before the LEAF, Nissan developed the low-volume Altra station wagon in 1997 and the Hypermini microcar in 1999. There’s no doubt that Nissan’s early efforts have contributed to the development of other electric vehicles. Competing manufacturers jumped on this effort, and consumers continued to seek electric options for increased fuel efficiency and reduced environmental impact.
While Nissan continued to release new versions of the LEAF, the manufacturer didn’t create other models. It was an interesting choice to not latch onto the momentum of the LEAF, but a new electric model will be available in 2023. The ARIYA is an impressive electric car, with several of the trims having a range of up to 285 miles or more. Other neat features of this electric car include a motion-activated hands-free lift gate, ProPILOT Assist 2.0, and a power panoramic moon roof.
Inspiration Behind the New Electric Vehicle
Competitors have likely inspired Nissan to refocus its efforts on electric vehicles, especially as the car manufacturer wants to maintain customer loyalty by adhering to consumer demands. Another driving factor behind the shift is likely President Joe Biden’s actions in August 2021. He signed an executive order that aimed to boost electric vehicle rates to 50% of all car sales by 2030.
While there is currently no formal legislation to support this executive order, it will serve as a policy roadmap for federal agencies. These agencies will likely enact stricter rules in 2027 to support the increase in electric vehicle sales. Additionally, it’s worth noting that the executive order considers electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids as the same. This similar grouping will make it easier for car manufacturers like Nissan to meet the 2030 deadline, as they can sell vehicles that feature a combination of electric and gas-powered engines rather than only electric engines.
Nissan’s Plans for an Electric Future
Nissan announced plans to make over 40% of its sales fully electric. While this percentage is lower than the 50% that the executive order asks for, some consider it a more ambitious goal because of its focus on fully electric vehicles. Nissan plans to introduce more models after the ARIYA to appeal to a wider market. For instance, it will likely produce SUVs, sedans, and trucks that operate solely on electricity.
There’s no doubt that Nissan’s plans to go electric are exciting. If you want to be part of this movement, browse our vehicles today. Visit your friends at Gates Nissan of Richmond in Richmond, KY to test drive your dream Nissan vehicle today!
Image courtesy of Nissan
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