Nissan EV Cars to Lose Functionality Due to 2G Switch-Off

First 2G, then 3G, then 4G, then 5G, then there will only be 6G electric cars won't there?

Mar 05, 2024

By Sallust

Charging problems and battery lifespan have already ‘flattened the curve’ when it comes to EV take-up in the rush to Net Zero with the 2035 ICE vehicle ban looming on the horizon. If you’re still thinking about the positives and the negatives, Nissan has inadvertently come up with a solution to help make your mind up. When the 2G network is switched off, owners of older EV Nissans will discover that the app which helps control remote functionality will stop working on August 1st 2024. That’s because these cars use only 2G technology. The BBC has the story:

The firm says the app – which allows remote control of functions such as heating – is stopping because the U.K.’s 2G network is being switched off.

Owners of Nissan Leaf electric cars have accused the firm of “dumping its pioneers” after it announced its app would stop working for older vehicles.

But customers have reacted with anger, telling the BBC they did not expect it to be withdrawn.

Experts expect the issue to affect more electric vehicles as the market grows.

Around 3,000 Nissan Leaf and e-NV200 cars made before 2016 are affected by the app being withdrawn.

These older vehicles are fitted with 2G control units which communicate with the app.

Luckily, the cars themselves won’t grind to halt (unless the battery goes flat of course). Some functionality will remain. According to Nissan:

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.

That’s good then. Sort of. But the prospects are much more ominous. It seems Nissan could be setting a precedent:

Dr. Benjamin Gorman, a senior lecturer at Bournemouth University, said Nissan “really should have built in some kind of backward compatibility” so that the car could still connect by plugging in a phone or through Bluetooth, adding that “it is bad design”.

But he said, in the future, other electric vehicle owners could also see their software eventually lose functionality as technology moved on and companies stopped issuing updates.

He also pointed to broader trends within the industry, such as some car manufacturers starting to charge a monthly subscription fee for access to extra features such as apps.

Time to start looking for a 1970s Ford Cortina? No tax, no MOT, no Ulez issues, and no chance of some geek at the manufacturers switching features or the whole car off remotely. What’s not to like?

Daily Sceptic