【EV Vision Report】On January 27, the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance released the "Alliance 2030 Vision", proposing a number of joint projects and development measures for 2030, using five general-purpose pure electric vehicle platforms to create the world's largest pure electric vehicle model supply system, and planning to launch 35 new pure electric vehicle models by 2030.
In May 2020, in order to strengthen the competitiveness and profitability of the three companies, the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance announced a new business cooperation model. Thanks to the efficient operation supervision system and the strengthened and flexible cooperation model, the alliance has gained a solid foundation for development. Through the "Leader-Companion" model, for specific technologies, the leaders assume responsibility for development and the companions provide corresponding support, which allows members of the Alliance to obtain core technologies.
Based on this, the alliance has formulated a 2030 joint development roadmap for all-electric models and smart and connected mobility businesses, and made joint investments for the benefit of member companies and consumers.
Jean-Dominique Senard, Chairman of the Alliance, said: "The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance has established a mature and unique strategic operational partnership in the automotive industry. For 22 years, we have been working for the common good while carrying forward our respective corporate cultures and traditions. Today, the Alliance is accelerating the mobility revolution, creating more value for consumers, employees, shareholders and all stakeholders. The three companies have developed a common roadmap for 2030, co-investing in future electrification and interconnection projects. This is an investment that no one can accomplish alone. Together, alliance members will make changes for a new global sustainability that will be carbon neutral by 2050. ”
The "leader-companion" model
Alliance members have developed a "smart differentiation" methodology that clarifies the level of versatility of each model, integrates composable parameters such as platform, production plant, powertrain or vehicle segmentation, and complements and reinforces model differentiation through more rigorous design and upper body differentiation. For example, the C/D platform will be responsible for the production of five models from the alliance's three brands (Nissan Qashqai and X-Trail, Mitsubishi Outlander, Renault Austral and an upcoming seven-seater SUV).
To strengthen this process, by 2026, the use of the common platform among the alliance members will increase from the current 60% to more than 80%, covering 90 models. This will allow member companies to focus more on meeting consumer demand, introducing the best models to core markets, and driving innovation across the alliance at a lower cost.
As part of this, Mitsubishi Motors will introduce two new models in the European market to increase its impact, including a new ASX based on Renault's best-selling models.
Group Renault, Nissan Motor and Mitsubishi Motors are pioneers in all-electric models, investing more than 10 billion euros in electrification. In its core markets of Europe, Japan, the United States and China, the alliance's 15 plants produce components, motors and batteries for 10 all-electric models. At present, the sales volume of pure electric vehicle models in the alliance has exceeded 1 million units, and the cumulative mileage has reached 30 billion kilometers.
Five general-purpose pure electric vehicle model platforms
The alliance plans to accelerate its development by investing 23 billion euros in electrification over the next five years. At the same time, it plans to launch 35 new pure electric models by 2030. Among them, 90% of the models will be produced on the five general-purpose pure electric vehicle platforms, covering most of the major markets in the core area:
CMF-A EV platform: the world's most affordable pure electric model platform for the production of the new Dacia Spring;
KEI-EV platform series (mini car): production of ultra-compact pure electric models;
LCV-EV platform series: meet the needs of professional consumers for the production of Renault Kangoo and Nissan Town Star models;
CMF-EV Platform: A flexible all-electric model platform that will be used to produce Nissan's new all-electric crossover SUV models, the Nissan Ariya, and renault Mega E-Tech Electric. With its technological innovation and modularity potential, the CMF-EV platform is the benchmark platform for the next generation of pure electric models for the alliance partners. The platform is powered by a new high-performance motor and ultra-thin battery designed to integrate and optimize all specific elements of the 100% electric powertrain. By 2030, more than 15 models will be produced on the CMF-EV platform, with an annual production capacity of more than 1.5 million units.
CMF-B EV platform: In 2024, the world's most competitive compact pure electric vehicle platform , cmF-B EV platform, will be launched, with a range of up to 400 kilometers and excellent aerodynamic performance. Compared to the existing Renault ZOE, production costs can be reduced by 33% and energy consumption can be reduced by more than 10%. The platform will produce 250,000 Renault, Alpine and Nissan brand vehicles per year, including the Renault R5 and Nissan's new compact electric vehicles. The new electric model was designed by Nissan and developed by Renault and produced at electriCity in northern France.
The common strategy in the battery space is that Renault and Nissan choose common battery suppliers in their core markets. By working with a common partner to achieve true scale and affordability of batteries, it is planned to reduce battery costs by 50% by 2026 and 65% by 2028.
The move will help the alliance to have a total of 220 GWh of pure electric vehicle battery production capacity at major production sites around the world by 2030.
In addition, the Alliance shares a common vision for All-Solid-State Battery Technology (ASSB). Based on its deep expertise and unique experience as a pioneer in battery technology, Nissan will lead innovation in this field for the benefit of all members of the Alliance.
All-Solid-State Battery Technology (ASSB) will have twice the energy density of current liquid lithium-ion batteries, reducing charging time by one-third, allowing consumers to have a faster, more convenient, confident and pleasant driving experience during long driving.
The Alliance aims to achieve mass production of all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) by mid-2028 and reduce battery costs to $65 per kWh to achieve cost parity for all-electric models and fuel models, thereby accelerating the global electrification transition.
The alliance has an advanced battery management system. Unlike other companies, the alliance has 100% control over its hardware and software, which allows companies to obtain valuable predictive data, monitor battery health and continuously improve technology.
At the same time, the alliance is working with strategic partners to provide consumers with the best road public charging solutions. Service provider Mobilize Power Solutions is able to provide enterprise customers with a complete end-to-end service, including project design, installation, maintenance and management services to optimize charging infrastructure.
Recently, Plug Surfing, the alliance's electric mobility service provider, reached an agreement with Ionity that will allow its customers to enjoy the ultra-fast charging network provided by Ionity in Europe at a preferential price.
With more than 10 years of experience in the field of electric vehicles, alliance members have accumulated extensive industry knowledge and are leading the way in optimizing battery reuse, especially in the area of battery secondary utilization recycling and the realization of efficient and sustainable solutions throughout the battery lifecycle.
By 2026, 25 million cars will be connected to the cloud
Smart, connected mobility is a key area for the Alliance to increase its shared innovation efforts. With more than 20 years of experience in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving, Nissan's award-winning ProPILOT super-smart driving technology is a testament to that.
The Alliance continues to improve real-life driving safety, convenience and entertainment through innovations in smart vehicles and driver assistance technologies. Through shared platforms and electronic devices, it is expected that by 2026, 45 models and more than 10 million vehicles will be equipped with autonomous driving assistance systems.
Today, 3 million vehicles are connected to the alliance cloud through data interaction. By 2026, more than 5 million Alliance cloud systems will be delivered each year, and 25 million vehicles will be connected to Alliance Cloud systems. The alliance will be the first in the world to introduce the Google ecosystem into production models.
Led by Renault Group, the Alliance is developing a common centralized electrical and electronic architecture that integrates electronic hardware and software applications to deliver maximum benefits and performance.
By 2025, the alliance will launch the first fully software-defined car, improving the car's over-the-air download (OTA) performance throughout its product lifecycle. This means that customers are able to integrate cars into the digital ecosystem for personalized experiences and new enhanced services that reduce maintenance costs. This will also encourage alliance members to increase the resale value of vehicles. In addition, the ability of software-defined cars to communicate with connected objects, users, and infrastructure opens up new areas of value for alliances.
Group Renault, Nissan Motors and Mitsubishi Motors are at the forefront of the big data revolution, and digital experiences will be the gateway to unprecedented big data applications, laying the groundwork for the next frontier in the automotive industry.