Nissan Puts Electrification at Heart of Future Mobility

The future of city transport is electric - and Nissan believes that younger generations will be the ones to make it happen. 

Its new survey, The Future of Sustainable Mobility, explores attitudes to electric vehicles (EVs), the technology supporting them and the growing need to reduce environmental impact through cleaner forms of mobility.

The study focuses on global EV adoption and reveals how people in both developed and emerging urban centres are responding to the transition. 

It also highlights the technologies influencing mobility choices and the factors still holding people back.

Pushing for electrification

Across both developed and emerging markets, younger people are showing growing interest in EVs and related energy innovations. 

Technologies like energy storage, alternative fuels and vehicle-to-everything (V-to-X), where vehicles interact with grids, infrastructure or homes are viewed as key features in future mobility.

More than 40% of younger respondents say such technologies will influence their future travel decisions. 

In emerging cities, 57% of younger residents say they are already willing to change their habits to help cut carbon emissions. 

The data points to a generational shift and a growing expectation that mobility will be electrified in the years ahead.

In emerging cities, adoption stands at 28% and is expected to grow to 44% by 2030. 

Developed cities have a lower base, just 19%, but are still projected to reach 31% within the same period.

"We believe in making mobility electrified and sustainable — it is a defining expectation shaping the future of transportation," explains Lavanya Wadgaonkar, Chief Communications Officer at Nissan Motor Corporation.

"This survey reaffirms the growing demand for electrification and the need to create more awareness, but long-term success hinges on making EV adoption seamless, practical and cost-effective. 

“At Nissan, we leverage data- driven research and innovation to bridge gaps, ensuring that electrification is not just an option, but a core component of the mobility landscape."

Expanding EV practices

In emerging cities, 35% of people avoid EVs due to concerns about battery durability. 

In developed markets, the issue is more about cost, 32% point to high maintenance expenses.

Growing concern about environmental issues such as air pollution and congestion is pushing interest in EVs in some of the world’s largest cities, including Shanghai, São Paulo and Mexico City. 

These pressures are adding urgency to both infrastructure improvements and wider adoption of cleaner technology.

Nissan’s strategy to boost electrification includes developing more competitive pricing and enhancing battery and manufacturing technologies. 

It plans to introduce 30 new models by 2030, of which 16 will be electrified. 

To broaden appeal, the company is also offering e-POWER, an electric drive system that doesn't rely on external charging, as a practical bridge for those not ready to fully commit to EVs.

Alongside product rollouts, Nissan is building an EV energy ecosystem. 

Over the last 10 years, it has launched around 40 pilot projects exploring vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capability, which allows cars to share energy with national power systems. 

A new UK-based V2G project is expected in 2026. In Tokyo, a vehicle-to-home (V2H) pilot allows EVs to power homes during blackouts.

Inclusive solutions and sustainable city design

Nissan’s commitment goes beyond vehicles. Its approach includes car-sharing schemes like EasyRide in Yokohama and participation in research projects like ServCity in the UK and Namie A1 in Japan. 

Each initiative aims to bring cleaner, safer and more accessible transport to different city environments.

Designing for emerging markets also means building in safety from the ground up.

Nissan incorporates collision avoidance technology and other features designed to adapt to local conditions and infrastructure gaps.

"This research explores how the younger generations envision the future of mobility—an essential perspective, as their choices will directly shape the evolving mobility landscape," comments Ritu Bhandari, Manager in Sustainability and Environment at Economist Impact. 

"Our findings reveal that for sustainable mobility to succeed, cities need to balance environmental goals with real commuter priorities like affordability, convenience and inclusivity. 

“Achieving this requires flexible, multimodal solutions that seamlessly integrate public transit, electric vehicles, shared mobility and active transport into a connected, accessible network for all residents with diverse needs."

Planning beyond 2030

Nissan’s long-term strategy extends beyond model launches and pilot schemes. 

Its Nissan Green Programme 2030 (NGP2030) lays out a route to achieve carbon neutrality across operations and throughout the lifecycle of its vehicles by 2050. 

The approach includes a shift toward a circular economy model, with a focus on reusing and recycling materials across the manufacturing chain.

The company’s goals also include reducing the environmental impact of its operations and improving overall water and air quality in urban areas. 

By doing so, Nissan aims not just to produce cleaner vehicles, but to support better quality of life for city residents.

Explore the latest edition of EV Magazine and be part of the conversation at our global conference series, Sustainability LIVE.

Discover all our upcoming events and secure your tickets today.

EV Magazine is a BizClik brand