Nissan commits to UK production; sets 2050 carbon neutrality target

Wed 27 January 2021 View all news

Nissan has announced that it is setting a global goal for the company to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. It says that by the early 2030s, every all-new Nissan vehicle sold in key markets will be electrified. Meanwhile, reports say that the company has committed to continue manufacturing cars in the UK for the long-term as a result of the trade deal agreed between the EU and UK last December. 

Nissan says that it will pursue further innovations in electrification and manufacturing technology to make progress on the company’s carbon neutrality goal in the following strategic areas:

  • Battery innovations including solid-state and related technologies to develop cost-competitive and more efficient electric vehicles;
  • Further development of Nissan’s e-POWER electrified powertrains to achieve greater energy efficiency;
  • Development of a battery ecosystem to support decentralized, onsite power generation for buildings with renewable energy sources. Nissan anticipates increased collaboration with the energy sector to support the decarbonization of power grids;
  • Manufacturing process innovations to support higher productivity in vehicle assembly, starting with the Nissan Intelligent Factory initiative. The company will also strive for greater energy and material efficiencies to support longer-term carbon neutrality ambitions.

Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida said: “We’re determined to help create a carbon neutral society and accelerate the global effort against climate change.

“Our offering in electrified vehicles will continue to expand around the world, and this will make a major contribution to Nissan becoming carbon neutral. We will continue to drive innovation that enriches people’s lives as we pursue a sustainable future for all.”

Meanwhile, the BBC reports that Nissan says that its Sunderland plant is secure for the long-term as a result of the trade deal reached between the UK and the EU.

It also says that it will move additional battery production close to the plant where the company employs 6,000 direct staff and supports nearly 70,000 jobs in the supply chain.

The company says that it has decided to make the new 62kWh battery in Sunderland so that all of its products qualify for tariff-free export to the EU. Nissan says that it is committed to Sunderland for the long-term under the business conditions that have been agreed. 

Around 70% of the cars made in Sunderland are exported and the vast majority of them are sold in the EU.

While Nissan's proposals to manufacture batteries in the UK have been widely welcomed, industry figures have commented that the UK will need to rapidly scale-up local battery production if vehicle electrification targets are to be met.


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