Nissan could be saying goodbye to internal combustion engines

Several European automakers have already announced plans to stop developing new internal combustion engines (ICE). Instead, they will focus more on electrified platforms and improve the engines available today. While that might be the case for manufacturers in Europe, the same can’t be said for automakers in Japan, with the exemption of Nissan.

According to Nikkei Asia, Nissan will reportedly end the development of most internal combustion engines. We say most because there is an exception – the US pick-up truck market. The move supposedly comes from strict vehicle regulations in Europe, which will go into effect in 2025. Instead of next-generation ICEs, the report claims Nissan will focus on the development of electric vehicles and EV powertrains.

Aside from focusing on EVs, the report adds that Nissan will also continue to enhance its current hybrid and non-hybrid engines for the global market. With that, it suggests no new engines will be introduced in the future. Instead, we will only see new variations of current engine models and likely hybridized versions of them.

As mentioned earlier, the only exception will supposedly be the US truck market where the Frontier and Titan are still hot-selling models. If that is the case, it seems Nissan will stand by its two pickup truck models for the years to come.

Assuming the report is accurate, Nissan will become the first Japanese automaker to end development and eventually say goodbye to ICEs. Other Japanese companies, such as Toyota, Subaru, and Mazda, have taken a more gradual approach to electrification through hybrid vehicles and even hydrogen-powered models.

Nissan has yet to confirm officially confirm or deny the report. However, the move could put the company ahead of its Japanese competitors. The automaker has been selling the Leaf and the Ariya EVs for quite some time, while Toyota and Subaru only introduced the bZ4X and Solterra last year.