Nissan and the electric car: from Formula E to the road | FP – Hello

From the track to the road, from the road to the track. Many car manufacturers often use this clause to justify their electrification of mobility and therefore motorsport. And among these there are those who act only with words. Nissan no: the Japanese brand strongly believes in the connection between these two worlds, as shown by the experience made in the world championship of System E both from the process of the total electric current of the column which is completed step by step.

The first game in Formula E

Almost six years have passed since Nissan made its debut in Formula E. When it officially entered the championship, it introduced complete record: Be the first and also the only Japanese manufacturer to enter the series and compete in partnership with the e.dams racing team as Nissan e.dams. All in all, the beginning positive: six podiums, five pole positions and 16 Super Poles in qualifying are the numbers for Nissan’s first season in Formula E, not to mention the first victory at the New York E-Prix. Year after year, season after season, the Japanese giant has tried in every way to improve these numbers, and has even succeeded. Next steps 2022: April, when Nissan bought the e.dams racing team, and June, when the brand announced it would supply its EV powertrain technology to McLaren Racing throughout the Formula E Gen3 era.

From the track to the road

Nissan’s experience in Formula E is unfortunate. The Japanese giant has set itself a specific goal: to ensure that the excitement and joy of zero-emission electric cars reaches a global audience. Because let’s not forget that Nissan’s history with electric cars began well before Formula E: year zero can be considered 2010, or when the first generation of LEAF, a flagship model that has sold over 650,000 units to date. And it can be accurately described as the starting point for Nissan relationship between motorsport and road, because it was from here that the Japanese company used its experience in electric mobility to create its Formula E racing car.

Long term goals

Talking about electrification means talking about decarbonisation. In this sense too, Nissan seems to be open minded. Clear and ambitious: the goal of the Japanese giant is to achieve carbon neutrality in the life cycle of its products by 2050. A goal that will have to be reached step by step, and the first step in this sense is set at the beginning of the next decade, when Nissan intends to electrify the entire range of vehicles in its key markets. Together with usually the key nail in the head: Bringing experience in transferring knowledge and technology from track to road to provide better electric vehicles to its customers.

Record one at a time

And we come today. Only last month Nissan announced its commitment to the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship until at least the end of the decade, while also strengthening its electrification plans as part of its Ambition 2030 vision. Another lap, another record: Nissan becomes the first manufacturer to confirm participation in the ABB FIA Formula E GEN4 World Championship until 2030, marking the company’s longest commitment – 12 years in total – to the motorsports sector in the FIA ​​World Championship. And be careful, because when we talk about GEN4 we are talking about the one from 2026 to 2030. it will be Formula E’s most advanced technology: it will not only include a series of modern features, such as high energy efficiency and regenerative capacity of up to 700kW and maximum power of up to 600kW, but also several safety innovations.

Increased electrical range

An announcement that testifies to Nissan’s ambitions in the world of electric motorsport. And as we said from the beginning, for the Japanese big track and the road go hand in hand: for this reason in the same period, so between the fiscal years 2024 and 2030, the company is preparing to establish 34 electrical models to address all segments and achieve a global electricity mix of 40% by fiscal year 2026 and 60% by the end of the decade. And it is no coincidence that Nissan works in all countries on the current Formula E calendarhaving research and development centers in 16 markets, a number of manufacturing facilities in 13 markets, and multiple design studios in 5 markets.

A relationship between two worlds

On the other hand, Makoto Uchida, who is the CEO of Nissan, also recognized how Formula E, in addition to providing excitement and entertainment to fans, makes a great contribution to electrical targets of the company’s Ambition 2030 plan. “The experience on the track will provide us with knowledge for the technological development of our future products and to continue working towards a sustainable world for all”, the CEO of Nissan admitted. In short, Nissan he always confused words with reality: and this is the only way forward to ensure that all promises about electrification do not remain promises, but are reflected in reality.