CO2 reduction - one of the most important issues facing automakers
July 3, 2008 Posted by: Lee Sibbald
It is reported that the rise in the Earth’s average atmospheric temperature will bring profound changes to the global environment, and significantly affect our daily lives. Curbing emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), which is believed by many scientists to be a major contributor to global warming, is therefore an issue that must be addressed on a global scale. Nissan is treating Reduction of CO2 emissions is one of Nissan’s top priorities. We are making concerted efforts to reduce CO2 emissions at every stage of the vehicle life cycle and our corporate activities, from manufacture and transport to use of Nissan vehicles by our customers.
CO2 emitted during vehicle use
In the life cycle of a vehicle, from its manufacture to use by customers and finally to recycling, the greatest amount of CO2 is emitted as a result of burning fuel during vehicle use. Nissan gives high priority to measures to reduce CO2 emissions during vehicle operation-in other words, to improve vehicle fuel economy.
Reducing CO2 emissions during vehicle use
The amount of CO2 emitted during vehicle use is influenced not only by the vehicle’s performance and type of fuel used, but also by factors including driving style and traffic conditions. Nissan is working to reduce CO2 emissions during vehicle use from the perspectives of products (vehicles), people and traffic environment. Our long-term goal is to reduce CO2 emissions from new Nissan cars by 70% from the 2000 level by 2050. In addition to reducing the CO2 from our vehicles, Nissan also undertakes activities to educate customers about eco-driving and collaborates with national and local government offices and other industries to improve the traffic environment. Through these wide-ranging efforts, Nissan aims to effectively reduce CO2 emissions.
Efforts to reduce CO2 emissions from future vehicles
It is Nissan’s view that internal combustion engines will continue to be the main power source of vehicles globally in the years ahead. We therefore intend to reduce CO2 emissions through the development and widespread adoption of advanced technologies for improving the fuel economy of gasoline-engine vehicles. We are also developing cleaner diesel-engine vehicles as well as vehicles that run on biofuels made from plants and other renewable sources. At the same, we estimate that over half the vehicles we sell in 2050 will need to be electrically powered if we are to achieve our long-term goal for reducing CO2 emissions. To prepare for this coming age of electrically powered vehicles, Nissan is now developing hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) and electric vehicles (EVs). Based on our long-term roadmap, we aim to provide the technologies best suited to the market at the time, to provide our customers with the highest possible value.
Widespread application of practical technologies with real world benefits
Engine and transmission innovations
Better fuel economy for gasoline-engine vehicles
The internal combustion engines used in virtually all cars today will likely continue to be the main power source of vehicles in the coming years. Nissan therefore believes that improving their fuel efficiency is a practical, beneficial way to reduce overall CO2 emissions. Nissan is currently developing technologies to reduce CO2 emissions from gasoline engines to the level of diesel engines and hybrid systems; one example is the “three-litre car,” which will run approximately 100 km on three litres of gasoline. Nissan aims to release a three-litre car by 2010 in Japan.
Expanding global use of continuously variable transmissions (CVTs)
By shifting seamlessly without using any gears, a CVT allows the engine to operate at maximum efficiency at all times. This characteristic improves fuel economy, resulting in lower CO2 emissions. Nissan aims to increase annual worldwide sales of CVT-equipped vehicles to over one million by fiscal 2007, up from 250,000 in fiscal 2004.
Developing flexible-fuel vehicles
Biofuels produced from sugar cane, corn or other plants are attracting interest as renewable energy sources that do not increase CO2 levels. All of Nissan’s gasoline engine vehicles can run on E10 fuel, a blend of 10% bio-ethanol and 90% gasoline. In North America, Nissan is now selling vehicles that can operate on E85, which contains up to 85% bio-ethanol. In the near future, we plan to sell E100 compatible vehicles in Brazil that will run on 100% biofuel.
Developing clean diesel-engine vehicles
Nissan is also working hard to develop clean diesel-engine vehicles. Starting in 2010, Nissan will be expanding its line-up of clean diesel engine vehicles that comply with tougher future exhaust emission regulations* in Japan, North America and China, A new 2-liter class clean diesel-engine vehicle complying with the Euro 4 standards will be launched in Europe in the first half of fiscal 2007.
Activities to develop and popularize electrically powered vehicles with low or no CO2 emissions
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs)
With a powertrain that combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor, HEVs can markedly reduce CO2 emissions. Nissan released the Altima Hybrid in the North American market in 2007, and is now developing an original hybrid system that will be featured in future hybrid vehicles targeted for release in North America and Japan in fiscal 2010. Nissan is also moving ahead with R&D work on plug-in hybrid vehicles, as an effective technology for reducing CO2 emissions. The battery of a plug-in hybrid can be recharged from a household electrical outlet, and the energy stored in the battery is used by the electric motor to power the vehicle. Like pure electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids can operate without producing any CO2 emissions when operating on battery power.
Fuel cell vehicles (FCVs)
FCVs are clean vehicles that emit only water-no CO2 or other exhaust emissions-during operation. They use electrical energy produced from hydrogen and oxygen as their motive power source. Nissan has been leasing FCVs on a limited basis since fiscal 2003.
We are now making further improvements to our independently-developed fuel cell stack, which will be featured on a new FCV that Nissan plans to release in Japan and North America in the early 2010s.
Electric vehicles (EVs)
Powered by an electric motor and a battery, EVs are clean vehicles that do not emit any CO2 or exhaust emissions while operating. Nissan is working hard to promote widespread use of EVs. This includes extending their driving range by enhancing the battery and other electric powertrain technologies. It also involves collaboration with other industries to implement the necessary infrastructure, such as charging stations. Nissan plans to complete demonstration testing by 2010 and launch a new EV in the early 2010s, beginning in Japan.
Battery development
Before electric cars can come into more widespread use, advances are needed in three key technologies: the traction motor, the inverter that controls the motor, and the battery. Nissan and NEC Corporation, and its subsidiary, NEC TOKIN established a joint-venture company - Automotive Energy Supply Corporation (AESC) - to develop manufacture and market these batteries. The company will take advantage of Nissan’s traditional strength in lithium-ion battery technology to advance battery performance dramatically and reduce their costs. These more advanced lithium-ion batteries will then be used on HEVs, FCVs and EVs.
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