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Managing Director, Nissan sub-Sahara Africa, Mike Whitfield, said from all indications, plug-in vehicles, including electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, could by 2040 become the world’s most desired vehicles, with Nissan LEAF appropriating 35 percent of the global new electric car sales.
Whitfield, who made the observation while speaking at a conference in South Africa recently, based his projection on growing affordability of battery and introduction of wireless charging capability.
“We are already seeing the effects of these fast-moving technologies in cars today and the most prominent being the ‘green mobility’ – where electric vehicle technology evolved,” Whitfield observed.
Maintaining that though the electric vehicle market in Africa may still be small, he said: “It is poised to change if government plays key role in harnessing Africa’s carbon footprint.”
Whitfield’s projection came as sales of plug-in vehicles including electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids reached 1.5 million mark in 2015, representing about 0.1 per cent of the billion cars on the road worldwide.
South African government, for instance, has shown willingness to rollout large-scale electric vehicles having partnered with automakers and other stakeholders in a variety of electric vehicle expansion.
The collaboration is expected to inspire more automakers to roll-out fast charging stations by 2017 like Nissan and BMW to expand the national charging network for their electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Only South Africa and Mauritius are currently countries in sub-Sahara with sufficient infrastructure to support electric vehicles.
Technology in autonomous drive vehicles – which combines robotics technology, artificial intelligence, sensors and car-to-car connectivity – is also evolving rapidly, Mr. Whitfield noted.
According to Whitfield, “Though there isn’t yet a driverless car, autonomous drive technology are being introduced gradually to enhance driving experience and Nissan has incorporated some of these features in its vehicle line-up.
“They include lane departure warning, blind spot warning, active ride assist, and around-view monitor with parking assist.
“A recent development was the launch of the first Piloted Drive 1.0 car in Japan, featuring steering, accelerator and braking technology that can be operated in full automatic mode.”
Whitfield has however advocated partnership with information and communications technology experts – such as the Nissan-Renault Alliance with Microsoft to develop technologically savvy vehicles for the next generation.
