Nissan’s racy new EV concept previews an all-electric future in Europe

Designed by Nissan’s design team in London, the unproduced EV hatchback (called Concept 20-23) with circular daytime running lights is compact, exactly as you would expect automakers to make for the European market.

Under its “Ambition 2030” plan, Nissan says it will globally introduce 19 new electric vehicles along with eight “electrified” vehicles. The automaker plans to accelerate the European market specifically, where it says a third of its global electric vehicle sales occur.

Nissan says it now only sells hybrid and electric models in Europe, including the Qashqai non-plug-in hybrid “e-Power” crossover and the X-Trail compact SUV, as well as the Nissan Ariya EV and Townstar electric van.

Nissan’s upcoming electric vehicles in Europe include an electric version of the extra-compact Micra, which will act as Nissan’s entry-level vehicle, with another yet-to-be-revealed vehicle planned to be built at the automaker’s plant in Sunderland, UK.

To support its ambitions for an all-electric lineup, Nissan is drawing up plans to reduce battery costs by 65 percent by 2028. Plans include switching to lower-cost chemistries that avoid cobalt (often considered the diamond of blood of the technological world).

In that same period, Nissan reiterates plans made last year to launch solid-state batteries that it says can reduce the charging time of electric vehicles “by a third” and reduce battery costs to $75 per kWh (and then $65). US Department of Energy Vehicle Technologies Office reported that, in 2022, batteries for electric vehicles produced at scale will cost about $153 per kWh. In 2021, Nissan announced plans to spend 2 trillion yen (about $17.6 billion) over five years to accelerate the development of its electric vehicles globally.

Aside from Nissan’s promises of an all-electric lineup this decade, the automaker hasn’t shown much progress. The automaker pioneered the electric vehicle market with its Nissan Leaf (which may be destined for the landfill), but has shown no further progress in electric vehicles beyond its good (if somewhat boring and safe) Ariya SUV. Hopefully, we’ll soon see more of their promised new EVs that aren’t just convertible concepts.