The new Japanese government, led by the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) and its leader, Yukio Hatoyama, are working on imposing a 25 percent reduction in CO2 emission by 2020, compared to the levels registered in 1990. The previous administration had a target of only 8 percent reduction, just-auto.com reported.
"Voters handed down a victory for the DPJ, which campaigned for the 25% in its manifesto, so we need to carefully discuss how we can achieve it," Shiga was quoted as saying by the source. "Unless auto companies have a solution for the environment, they cannot even survive.
Nor is there any raison d'etre, that's how far we have come."'
Of course, considering all the efforts put by Nissan into the development of both alternative-powered vehicles and the infrastructure to support them, it is easy to see how the Japanese manufacturer will try and tackle the new challenge.
After all, the Leaf, probably the world's first mass production electric vehicle, will be launched in some one year's time in Japan, the US and Europe. If it proves to be a hit (at least at the levels Toyota's Prius reached), then Nissan is well on route to reach that 25 percent reduction. Still, the 25 percent refers to the industry as a whole, so it will take only one manufacturer to bring down the entire house of cards.
"Automakers should not invest in a boom, but ultimately aim to match the products with the customers' values. Instead of EVs and hybrids battling on the same ground, it is better for them to supplement each other to lower the emission of carbon dioxide as a whole,'' the COO added.
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