Nissan Motor Co. is set to revamp its approach as it aims to bring hybrid prices in line with those of petrol-powered cars by 2026. It will use the same components across models to make electric powertrains smaller and lighter vehicles, reducing development and production costs by 30 percent within three years.
Toshihiro Hirai, the Senior Vice President of Nissan Motor Co., said the Japanese automobile manufacturer will use solid-state batteries with materials that are cheaper than those usually used, like nickel and cobalt. “Materials that don’t use such expensive precious metals are being developed, which will be a major factor in reducing costs.”
Many automakers are trying to make new-energy vehicles more affordable by reducing the cost of electric powertrains, which have yet to achieve parity with those used in traditionally powered vehicles. Hirari said Nissan will apply its streamlined approach to powertrains to different vehicle sizes. It wants to equip vehicles such as the “kei” minicar and other mid-sized models from 2024 or 2025.
The Nissan executive believes the powertrain size and weight reduction will improve vehicle performance by making driving in the snow or on the sand more stable. Nissan emerged as one of the first mass-market EV makers with its Leaf model more than a decade ago. Now, the automaker wants to introduce 27 electrified models, including 19 all-EVs by 2030.
