China: Nissan to sell only electric and hybrid cars by 2025

The move follows Beijing’s announcement to phase out conventional gas-powered cars released in the country by 2035.

Nissan Motor is planning to switch all its vehicles models sold in China to either fully electric or hybrid by 2025, reports Nikkei. The move comes as the Japanese carmaker tries to align with Beijing’s announcement to make all new vehicles sold in the country by 2035 eco-friendly.

Nissan will introduce nine new models in China by 2025 that will either be running electric or hybrid. The company also aims to increase the sales ratio of electric vehicles in the country from 2% in 2018 to 23% by 2023, although this ratio could be further increase as the Nissan reviews its sales strategy in the next five years.

As part of China’s goal to make all new vehicles produced in 2035 eco-friendly, the Government declared that half of the vehicles would be zero-emission, and the other half would be gas-electric hybrid.

Beijing hopes to push automobiles with smaller carbon footprints by promoting hybrid vehicles, which have better profit margins than fully electric cars. The Chinese government re-classified hybrid vehicles as "fuel-efficient vehicles" to facilitate carmakers meeting production quotas.