Nissan EV Car App to Stop Working Owing to Phasing Out of 2G Network

A Nissan Leaf parked at the crossroads of London's first electrified street and one of its most polluted, Electric Avenue and Brixton Road in Lambeth, London, on Jan. 31, 2018. Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images for Nissan

An app linked to Nissan Leaf electric vehicles (EVs) providing remote access and vital information to drivers will stop working in April, the manufacturer has announced.

The NissanConnect app, used by owners of Nissan Leaf and e-NV200 vehicles, communicates using 2G control units that were fitted in the vehicles up until 2016.

Over the next few years, UK mobile network providers will switch off their 3G and then 2G networks. Ofcom has confirmed that 2G and 3G won’t be on offer past 2033 at the latest, as the industry moves on to faster 4G and 5G networks.

Ofcom has warned that the switch-off will affect customers using older mobile devices and services.

In “preparation of the 2G technology sunset,” Nissan told The Epoch Times in a statement that it will discontinue its EV app, linked to Nissan Leaf, which will affect a number of features available to Nissan Leaf owners.

“As a result, owners of the affected vehicles using the NissanConnect remote services will no longer be able to do so. Owners will however, still be able to use key features such Climate Control Timer and Charging Timer directly from their car’s navigation system,” Nissan said.

Among the withdrawn app features are remote temperature control, the charge range status of the EV, and tracking of driving history.

Disgruntled Owners

With new zero emission zones and the 2030 combustion engine ban on the horizon, the pressure is high on drivers to switch from traditional cars to electric.

Some disgruntled Nissan Leaf owners said they would think twice before buying from manufacturers that don’t support their cars in the long-term, according to the BBC.

Given the gradual phase-out of 2G, another car owner was disappointed that Nissan decided to switch off the NissanConnect app for older models from April 1.

Nissan said that it’s in the process of notifying car owners about the switch-off via letters and e-mails.

Car owner David Compton said he didn’t receive an e-mail and found out about the app shutdown from social media.

“Many owners will find out the hard way. Perhaps you could at least put some information about the shutdown on your FAQ? Upgrade options? Exactly which features will stop working?” he told Nissan on social media platform X.

The manufacturer confirmed that the NissanConnect app will still be available for the Nissan Leaf produced between November 2015 and May 2019 and Nissan e-NV200 produced from March 2016.

Since its launch in December 2010, the Nissan Leaf has sold more than 650,000 units worldwide, including in Japan, the United States, and Europe. In the UK, Nissan has been building the Leaf vehicles at its Sunderland plant.

Last year, the manufacturer announced a £2 billion investment to turn the Sunderland site into “Britain’s biggest ever car factory.” The company also confirmed plans to build all-electric versions of the Qashqai and Juke, as well as the next-generation Leaf, at Sunderland.

Fierce competition for electric car buyers is expected this year. The zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate is likely to lead to more competitive prices, as sellers look “to tempt retail buyers.”

The ZEV mandate, set out by the government, requires 80 percent of new cars and 70 percent of new vans sold in the UK to be zero emission by 2030, increasing to 100 percent by 2035.

Car manufacturers who fail to abide by the mandate will be fined £15,000 for every internal combustion engine car they sell above the limit, which rises incrementally every year.

In the meantime, consumers already burdened by the high cost of living are facing higher insurance costs for EVs and will be likely to scrutinise the longevity of EV technology in light of the Nissan app switch-off.