Nissan Accused Of Dumping Its Electric Car Pioneers

Owners of Nissan Leaf electric cars have accused the company of “dumping its pioneers” after it informed that its app would no longer work with older models.

Nissan Accused Of Dumping Its Electric Car Pioneers

According to the company, the app, which allows remote control of features such as heating, is no longer working since the UK’s 2G network has been turned off.

Customers have reacted angrily, telling the BBC that they did not expect it to be pulled.

Experts predict that the problem will affect more electric vehicles as the market expands.
The app’s withdrawal affects around 3,000 Leafs and e-NV200 vehicles manufactured before 2016.

The older vehicles have 2G control modules connecting with the app.

According to the BBC, Nissan said: “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 of the 2G technology sunset.”

Nissan Accused Of Dumping Its Electric Car Pioneers

According to the report, “Owners will, however, still be able to use key features such as Climate Control Timer and Charging Timer directly from their car’s Navigation System.”

Affected drivers expressed dismay to the BBC, partly because mobile network operators will not phase out 2G until the decade’s end.

“I was very surprised,” remarked Max Siegieda, Manchester’s 2013 Nissan Leaf owner.

“I expected at least six months, if not a year, to organize alternatives. This is a significant component of the car that’s being discontinued.”

Nissan Accused Of Dumping Its Electric Car Pioneers

He described the app’s remote access for amenities like heating the car or charging remotely at cheaper times as “a major selling point” when he purchased the car used in 2022.

He had already considered upgrading but now says he would be “reluctant” to buy another car  “because of the lack of notice” they provided about the app termination.

SOURCE – (BBC)