The project will culminate in a final concept later this year, which Nissan says “will be anchored at the heart of a world that is concerned with a zero-emissions society, connected communities, autonomous drive and the Internet of things. It will demonstrate the host of benefits brought by a smart EV ecosystem – not just in terms of mobility, but in harnessing the potential of battery storage and vehicle-to-grid systems.”

Jean-Pierre Diernaz, director of electric vehicles at Nissan, said: “Our current refuelling infrastructure model is out-dated and faces an uncertain future unless it rapidly adapts to support the changing needs of consumers. By 2020, there will be almost one million EVs on the road, so it is imperative that there is an infrastructure in place to support this growth.

“This initiative will take the first steps along that road to examine the wider transportation landscape and reimagine the future of mobility, preparing our cities for a more sustainable future.”