clear all6.11.2015Fuel cell model on the cards for Nissan
Nissan is aiming to create a hydrogen fuel cell model within the next five years to compete with new models from rivals Toyota and Honda. The company, which tops the worldwide zero-emission sales charts with the Nissan Leaf, will bring a fuel cell vehicle (FCV) to market before 2021.
Nissan isn't in any great hurry to put a FCV into production however as it already has a successful electric vehicle (EV) product in the shape of the Leaf, with a second generation model confirmed as in the pipeline. This fact combines with Renault Nissan Alliance CEO Carlos Ghosn's opinion that the technology is too young to be viable for car buyers, means Nissan will take their time over the new model.
The news comes from the Tokyo Motor Show and an interview between Ghosn and Automotive News, and is the first time that FCVs have been indicated as being on the horizon for Nissan. The car will be developed with Mercedes Benz owner Daimler, with which the Renault Nissan Alliance already has a strong working relationship. Another Daimler brand, Smart, has its two models built on the same platform as the Renault Twingo, while the recently launched Infiniti Q30 - from Nissan's luxury brand - shares an architecture with the Mercedes A-Class.
Ghosn said: "The only question about fuel cells is, we just think it is too early. We're facing already a problem with the charging infrastructure in electric cars. You can imagine the problem we're going to have with fuel cells.
"I understand that those who don't develop electric cars are more tempted by going fuel cell, and they are in a hurry to put them on the market. We are not in a hurry. Because we already have a zero-emissions solution. We're not on the same time frame because we're not in the same situation."
