Nissan on Monday announced a plan to launch 30 new vehicles over the next three years, including eight electric vehicles and four plug-in hybrids.
North America is expected to receive seven of the new vehicles, including EVs, plug-in hybrids and even series hybrid vehicles, which Nissan is referring to. as E-Power vehicles.
Nissan’s E-Power vehicles are EVs that swap a large battery for a small battery and a gasoline engine that functions solely as a generator. The electricity generated keeps the small battery charged, meaning there is no need to charge the plug-in. However, the electricity generated can also be used to directly power the vehicle’s electric propulsion system during high load situations.
In addition to launching the seven new vehicles in North America, Nissan will also update about 80% of its existing lineup here, the automaker said.
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Going forward, Nissan will look to introduce next-generation lithium-ion batteries, with greater range and faster charging than the battery in the current Ariya compact electric crossover. The first next-generation battery will debut around 2028 in a three-row SUV.
Around the same time, Nissan plans to launch affordable electric vehicles equipped with lithium iron phosphate batteries, starting with a minicar. It also intends to have a EV with solid state battery available around 2028. Nissan said the first prototype with a solid-state battery should hit the road around 2026.
Nissan said it will also explore new partnerships in North America. One possibility is to work with Mitsubishi, which is part of an alliance that includes Nissan and Renault as members. Nissan is also believed to be in conversation with Fisker about a plan to share a platform and possibly produce an electric pickup truck. Nissan and Honda also announced in early March that they are investigating a partnership in the areas of EVs and software development.