Nissan has unveiled an ambitious plan to launch 30 new vehicles by 2026, with more than half of these being electric, reaffirming its commitment towards electrification even as demand for electric powered vehicles has begun to plateau. This move was announced as part of Nissan’s commitment to expanding its electric vehicle (EV) portfolio, which currently includes the Ariya SUV and the Leaf, priced at $43,190 and $28,140 respectively.
The announcement indicates that the Japanese automaker is set to introduce 16 new electric models, with the Americas targeted for seven all-new vehicles, although it remains to be seen how many of these will be fully electric. Nissan also hinted at the introduction of “e-POWER and plug-in hybrid models” for the Americas.
This initiative builds on Nissan’s 2021 declaration to manufacture 23 electrified vehicles by 2030, aiming for a lineup where 15 models are fully electric. The recent announcement appears to not only reaffirm but also expand upon these earlier plans, now projecting that 60% of its global vehicle offerings will be “electrified” by the decade’s end, an increase from the previously stated 50%.
This push towards electrification comes amid slowing demand for luxury EVs while the EV market overall has continued to grow, with a record 317,000 units sold in the fourth quarter of 2023 alone, marking a 40% increase year-over-year. The automotive industry’s pivot to electric is largely driven by environmental incentives from the Biden administration, which has introduced measures to reduce reliance on petrol-powered cars. A recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule aims for over two-thirds of passenger cars and light trucks sold by 2032 to be electric or hybrid, setting strict limits on tailpipe pollution.
