Nissan's announcement that China's new energy vehicles will lag behind the rest of the world may come as a surprise to many, especially given China's dominance in the global electric vehicle market. However, recent sales data and Nissan's development of all-solid-state batteries suggest that the company's statement may have some truth.
Nissan's sales in China have plummeted in recent years, and even their best-selling Xuanyi has faced challenges from cheaper rivals like the BYD Qin Plus. To add insult to injury, Nissan's electric mid-size SUV Arriere recently announced a price cut of 60,000 yuan. Still, Nissan announced the successful development of an all-solid-state battery, which could revolutionize the electric vehicle industry.
According to Nissan, the all-solid-state battery will go into trial production in 2025 and will power new electric vehicles by 2028. The battery is expected to improve storage and transmission efficiency, double energy density, and triple the charging efficiency of current liquid lithium batteries. If Nissan's claim is true, China's power batteries will be far behind.
At present, domestic all-solid-state batteries have not been developed in China, and Nissan is already preparing for mass production. This suggests that Nissan's statement may not be as sensational as it may seem at first glance. Although Chinese battery giants like CATL and BYD have made great strides in innovation, they still rely on liquid batteries. This puts them at a disadvantage compared to companies like Nissan that invest in all-solid-state batteries.
It is worth noting that Japan's research in the field of batteries cannot be underestimated, and their investment in electric vehicles may bring them back to the race. But at present, if it cannot keep up with the development of all-solid-state batteries, China's new energy vehicle market may face challenges.
As an automotive commentator, I see the development of all-solid-state batteries as a key step in making electric vehicles more efficient and practical for everyday use. Current limitations of liquid lithium batteries, such as low energy density and slow charging speeds, are major hurdles that need to be overcome to encourage wider adoption of electric vehicles.
Nissan's announcement shows that they are serious about investing in new technology, which could give them an edge in the increasingly competitive electric vehicle market. However, it should be noted that this does not necessarily mean that China's new energy vehicles will lag behind. Domestic battery manufacturers still have time to catch up and innovate, and the country has shown its commitment to supporting the development of electric vehicles.
In conclusion, Nissan's statement that China's new energy vehicles may lag behind the rest of the world should not be seen as purely sensational. The development of all-solid-state batteries is a major advance in the electric vehicle industry and can bring significant advantages to companies such as Nissan. However, it remains to be seen whether China's battery giants can keep up with this development and continue to innovate in the field of electric vehicles.