TOKYO — After falling behind a host of upstart rivals from China to Silicon Valley, electric vehicle pioneer Nissan Motor Co. is gearing up to get back into the EV race.
But like its Japanese rivals, Nissan is still approaching the new technology with a bit of caution.
Nissan's new vision to "democratize" electrification and "take the lead" in the rapidly expanding segment comes with a dose of reality in comparison to its early EV ambitions a decade ago when it launched the Leaf. The new plan will take a lot more cash, and the transition will happen much more gradually.
That strategy puts Nissan in the camp of competitor carmakers, including Toyota and Subaru, which are pursuing a balanced portfolio of EVs and hybrids instead of going all-in on a pure-electric tomorrow.