Japan – Nissan is pointing to a future in which electric vehicle (EV) drivers access free parking in exchange for sharing their car's spare electricity.
Part of The Pavilion, Nissan's Yokohama-based exhibition exploring the future of mobility, the space allows visitors to pay for parking by sending electricity from EVs into the building. The exhibition itself acts a demonstration for Nissan’s Energy Share and electricity storage technologies, with vehicles such as its Leaf cars showing the potential to power homes and city infrastructure during energy blackouts or disasters.
By suggesting a future where building and car park owners ask EV drivers for a share of electricity in exchange for discounted or eliminated parking fees, it could be that the pay-with-electricity initiative encourages more electric car demand and use in our towns and cities.
Electric vehicles have been gaining traction in recent years, with many brands and consumers considering the importance of sustainability as part of our urban mobility futures.