Nissan Spain is urging a radical mindset change from governments concerning the adoption of electric vehicles.
The Spanish market has endured a torrid time as the country’s economic travails filter through to the automotive market, with May sales down 2.6% year on year and 5.8% year to date.
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Nissan believes EVs will come more to the fore as climate change costs increase.
“In 2050 there will be far more vehicles on the roads and we will also have to face up to the exponential rise in population,” communications director Francesc Corbero told the recent European Automotive Congress in Bilbao, organised by European Conference Management.
“Transport will play an increasingly important role in reducing CO2 and Nissan as a car manufacturer knows that. We believe the electric car is the solution.”
The population rise, coupled with a reliance on fossil fuels that have an uncertain future, mean more emphasis will be put on electric vehicles, says Nissan, which has now sold 55,000 of its Leaf EV models worldwide.
But far more needs to be done closer to home in Spain, says Corbero, both from a political and infrastructure approach.
“From a government viewpoint, somebody is going to have to understand that urgent change is needed,” he said. “In Spain there are currently 1,356 charging stations – what we will need by 2020 is 82,000 charging points in Spain.
“The bill for climate change is [reportedly] around US$36 trillion per year. If that is true, then we need to do away with subsidies to fossil fuels.
“CO2 emissions in vehicles need to be reduced by 90% and there is no other route to do that other than by electric cars. It should no longer be a challenge but rather a reality.”
Nissan insists attitudes “from a cultural perspective” are changing to electric vehicles and claims the Leaf, for example, was the fifth most widely sold car in Norway last year.
“The next stage is the 100% electric van,” added Corbero.
