Roadmap to Low Carbon Society from a Business Perspective: Nissan’s Challenge
Mitsuhiko Yamashita, Vice President, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan
Mitsuhiko Yamashita received a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from Kyoto
University in 1979, and he joined Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. in the same year. In 1983, hewas sent to study abroad at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He became a directorof the section 1 vehicle development department in 2001. After working for three years
in the Nissan Technical Center North America from 2002, he became a vice president
specializing in company research and development from 2005.

1. Nissan’s Perspective
Climate Change was one of the major issues discussed at the Annual Meeting of the World
Economic Forum in Davos in January, 2008. In the meeting, Collaboration and Innovation wererecognized anew as the solutions for the climate issue facing the world.
2. Nissan’s Challenge
2.1 Nissan Green Program 2010
Ultimate goal of this program is to reduce environmental pollutants below natural absorption level.
The program focuses on three major issues, i.e., CO2 emissions, exhaust emission, and recycling
resources.
As for the reduction of CO2 emissions from motor vehicles, improvement of energy efficiency ofInternal Combustion Engine (ICE) will bring a maximum of 30% reduction from the current level.
The hybrid vehicle can halve CO2 emissions. In order to achieve the goal set in Nissan Green
program 2010, 70% reduction of CO2 emissions, electric vehicles and/or fuel cell vehicles withrenewable energy will play the key role.
2.2 Triple Layered Approach
To reduce CO2, Nissan employs a Triple Layered Approach. The approach aims to makeconnections among cars, drivers and society, and to implement countermeasures for each actor.
40% reduction in 2015 is set as our internal technical target, which will come from 30% ofcountermeasures for cars, and 10% each for drivers and society.
(1) Challenges for vehicle technology
For both gasoline engine and diesel engine, high combustion efficiency and less environmental
pollutants are the common goals, but feasible paths for the two are different.
Some of themeasures we are taking are a Variable Valve Event and Lift (VVEL) system for gasoline engine, andjoint development of clean diesel engine by Renault and Nissan.
These technologicalbreakthroughs are expected to occur within a few years. After that, hybrid vehicle, electric vehicles
and fuel cell vehicle will gradually contribute to reduction of CO2 emissions from transport vehicles.
Technological innovation of batteries is a key to performance of electric vehicles. As the first step,
the innovation has led to the introduction of small community EV for short distance transportation.
Further development of batteries will bring bigger cars with long distance.
At the last Tokyo Motor Show, we exhibited a new concept car of electric vehicle, which consists ofseveral technologies currently developed by Nissan. The first one is “By-Wire”. This system has
been already installed in airplane control system, and controls vehicles by electrical instead of

mechanical way. The second is robotic interface which gives advices to a driver. The third isin-wheel 4WD motor, and the forth is compact Lithium-Ion battery. Further technologicalinnovations of these four technologies will bring us to a future transportation system with electric
driven cars.
Burden sharing between public transportation and private transportation is a key for future society. A
concept for future urban transportation system is under review. It puts EV as a core system, and thevehicle is assisted by Intelligent Transportation System (ITS), and has four key factors: Park & Ride
from Rental Station, Efficient Traffic Control, Regenerating Electricity Sharing, and CO2 freeelectricity.
(2) Challenges for “Driving Life”
Nissan’s Eco Drive Navigation System not only informs the drivers their current gasoline mileage
but also ranks monthly average mileage. Last year, Nissan started the service which ranks drivers
according to its actual fuel efficiency. Using this system, some drivers could improve 18% ofmileage on the average. This implies that there is a lot of room to improve gasoline mileage bychanging driving methods.
(3) Challenges for Society
Nissan has been conducting several demonstration programs for future transportation system, suchas the program for the Intelligent Transportation System in Kanagawa prefecture. The ITS
determines traffic condition by using road information gathered by Probe Car, and tells driver thefastest route through car navigation system. A similar program was carried out in Beijing, China.
3. Toward Low Carbon Society
Pathways toward Low Carbon Society will face three challenges. The first is how to create “Senseof Urgency” in the society to avoid the so-called boiled frog syndrome. The role of media is vitaland how the manufactures like Nissan provide information is also important.
The second challenge is to realize sustainable LCS through “Collaboration and Innovation.” It is
well recognized that global warming could not be solved by one entity alone, for instance, one nation,
one society, or one company. How to integrate key stakeholders involved is quite important.
Technology development is also an important factor. Nissan is committed to make full effort ontechnology development and engineering development.
The third challenge is how to develop global mechanism to combine CO2 reduction and economic
growth. It is quite possible that adequate regulation may lead to economical effect.
4. ad finem
The issue we really have to ask now is “What kind of energy do we use?” During the 20th century,
development of our society depended on crude oil. I think the 21st century is the new era towards
diversified energy society. Transition might take some more time, but coming 20 or 30 years will be
the key.