Is Nissan Letting Down its Electric Car Pioneers?

The recent announcement by Nissan regarding the discontinuation of their app for older Nissan Leaf electric cars has left many owners feeling let down. The app, which enables remote control of functions such as heating, will cease to function as a result of the UK’s 2G network being switched off. This unexpected move has sparked discontent among customers who were not prepared for this sudden withdrawal of service.

As the electric vehicle market continues to expand, experts predict that this issue will impact a growing number of electric vehicles in the future. It has been reported that approximately 3,000 Nissan Leaf and e-NV200 cars manufactured before 2016 will be affected by the discontinuation of the app. These older vehicles are equipped with 2G control units that communicate with the app.

In a statement provided to the BBC, Nissan explained, “The NissanConnect EV app currently linked to Nissan Leaf and e-NV200 vehicles produced up until 2016 will shut down from 1 April 2024 in preparation for the 2G technology sunset.” The company also assured that owners will still be able to use key features, such as Climate Control Timer and Charging Timer directly from their car’s Navigation System.

Affected drivers have expressed their disappointment, particularly since mobile network operators are not expected to phase out 2G until the end of the decade. Max Siegieda, a 2013 Nissan Leaf owner in Manchester, shared his surprise and stated, “This is a key feature of the car that’s going away.” The app’s remote access for features such as heating the car or charging remotely at cheaper times was a major selling point when he bought the car in 2022.

Similarly, David Morris, a 2014 Nissan Leaf owner, received an email informing him that his app will stop working next month. He expressed his disappointment and questioned whether he would purchase another vehicle from the manufacturer if long-term support was not guaranteed.

While this issue currently affects a relatively small number of drivers, experts anticipate that many more vehicle owners will encounter similar problems in the future. Dr Benjamin Gorman, a senior lecturer at Bournemouth University, criticised Nissan for not implementing backward compatibility so that the car could still connect via phone or Bluetooth, labelling it as “bad design”. He also highlighted the trend of car manufacturers starting to charge a monthly subscription fee for access to extra features.

Offering a different perspective, Sam Sheehan, motoring editor at car firm Cinch, acknowledged the Leaf as a trailblazing vehicle but reassured that newer cars will likely stay working for much longer than the first Leaf. He emphasised keeping the problem in perspective and acknowledged that the connected software used in the Leaf is outdated due to it being one of the first mass-market electric vehicles on sale.

In conclusion, although the discontinuation of the app has caused frustration among owners of older Nissan electric vehicles, industry experts suggest that this issue may be indicative of broader trends within the automotive industry. As technology continues to advance, manufacturers must ensure that they provide adequate support for their products, especially as the market for electric vehicles continues to expand.