Nissan will put an end to the development of new internal combustion engines for Europe. The rise of the electric car in the European market is key for Nissan to put aside this technology and press the accelerator in its process of becoming a fully electric brand.
All the car brands that are present in Europe have launched (or will soon launch) an ambitious transition process towards fully electric mobility. The European Commission has set the expiration date on the internal combustion engine and bet everything on battery-powered electric cars and hydrogen fuel cells. Nissan is no stranger to these changes that the automotive industry is experiencing in the Old Continent, and for this reason, it has made a very important decision.
Nissan will stop developing new internal combustion engines for Europe. As European drivers jump on the electrification bandwagon at its highest level, the company will increase the weight of this type of zero-emission vehicle in its range. This was stated by Ashwani Gupta himself, Nissan’s Director of Operations, within the framework of the press conference on the company’s financial results.
Euro 7 emission regulations and Nissan internal combustion engines
The point and end to the development of new Nissan internal combustion engines will coincide with the introduction of the Euro 7 emissions standard. The emissions regulations promoted by the European Union are making it very difficult for manufacturers to meet the standards without resorting to electrification. It is expected that the EU implements the Euro 7 standard from the year 2025. A date that is just around the corner.
The automotive industry has opposed the new standard because the stipulated limits are much stricter than those set in the Euro 6 regulations. The senior Nissan official assured that will continue to develop internal combustion engines for those markets where this technology is in high demand. This is where the so-called emerging markets come into play.
Gupta took the new Nissan Z and Nissan X-Trail as examples, as gasoline-powered models for which demand remains high in certain markets. In addition, and in statements to the Japanese media Nikkei, the company made it clear that they will continue to work on new gasoline engines for North America and, more specifically, for the United States. Some engines that will be used in a special way by Nissan pick-ups.
Nissan’s commitment to the electric car
Nissan has established an ambitious roadmap for the coming years, which includes the launch of a significant number of totally new and 100% electric models. Hand in hand with Renault and Mitsubishi, its partners in the so-called Alliance, a large economic investment will be made to materialize this product offensive.
We have a clear example of this change in trend for Nissan in Europe with the Micra. There will be no new generation. The brand will give way to a new electric model that will take the place of the Japanese utility.