The U.K. government is retracting its commitment to clean energy, but Nissan remains steadfast in its dedication to electric vehicles (EVs). The Japanese automaker has reiterated its previous statement that all new models launched in Europe will be fully electric by 2030.
This announcement comes in response to U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s decision to delay the ban on new gasoline and diesel car sales from 2030 to 2035. A member of Sunak’s own party criticized the move, calling it “potentially the greatest mistake of his premiership so far.”
However, Nissan remains resolute in its transition to exclusively selling EVs in Europe. Makoto Uchida, Nissan’s president and CEO, stated, “There is no turning back now. We believe it is the right thing to do for our business, our customers, and for the planet.”
Nissan is one of the legacy automakers leading the way in the shift to EVs. The company not only produces the Nissan Leaf, the most affordable EV in the United States, but it has also implemented a new electric vehicle battery recycling program. This initiative is crucial for the industry’s long-term sustainability, as mining rare earth materials required for these batteries is environmentally harmful and unsustainable.
Critics have denounced the U.K. Prime Minister’s decision to veer away from clean energy, labeling it short-sighted. Bob Ward of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment warned that this move could hinder economic growth, discourage investment in clean technologies, and leave households vulnerable to volatile fossil fuel prices, potentially leading to financial hardship.
Nevertheless, it is encouraging to witness Nissan’s unwavering commitment to the transition to EVs. Online commentators expressed their support, with one Reddit user stating, “Take that, Rishi.” Others emphasized the need for the government to increase investment in charging infrastructure to meet the increasing demand for EVs.
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