Owners of Nissan Leaf electric vehicle models produced before 2016 will have their car app stop working in April as the company adjusts to the shutdown of 2G.
The app gives drivers instant updates on charging status, allows people to check their current range before needing to charge and keeps track of travel journeys including the distance and time travelled.
The app runs on the UK’s 2G network, but will no longer be viable as the nation switches to 4G and 5G signals.
As a result of the switch, car owners will only have a month left to use their app before it gets shut down and a limited amount of services will remain available.
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The Nissan Leaf has sold more than 650,000 units worldwide
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Since its launch in December 2010, the Nissan Leaf has sold more than 650,000 units worldwide, 320,000 of them in Europe.
Around 3,000 Nissan Leaf and e-NV200 vans made before 2016 will be affected by the app being discontinued, although only half of active users have the app.
Ofcom told providers in January that it was their responsibility to ensure the continuity of service after these networks are switched off and that they should prioritise upgrades if necessary.
In a letter, the regulator said: “Local authorities should contact the provider of these services to check how they could be impacted.
“We also strongly recommend taking any necessary steps to identify customers who could be affected by the switch-off and minimise any associated risks.”
Nissan said its app currently linked to Nissan Leaf and e-NV200 vehicles produced up until 2016 will shut down from April 1, 2024, in preparation for the 2G technology closing down.
A spokesperson said: “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.”
Nissan recently halted production of its Leaf model at its Sunderland plant as it looks to bring in a new wave of electric vehicles.
The Leaf has sold more than 270,000 models since 2013 from its Sunderland plant but the end of production will pave the way for the new £2billion gigafactory.
Last year, Nissan revealed a new variant of the Leaf, the Shiro, which is available with a 39kWh battery.
A spokesperson for the brand praised the Leaf EV, adding that it was the first mass-market car when it launched in 2010.
They said: “Since then, Leaf has gone from strength to strength and continues to represent an excellent customer proposition for both new and used vehicle customers.
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The Leaf has sold more than 270,000 models since 2013 from its Sunderland plant
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“I’m pleased to introduce this new version, Shiro is a welcome addition to our line-up which is great value and tech advanced and I’m sure will be an incredibly popular choice.”
A Nissan spokesperson told GB News: “The NissanConnect EV app currently linked to Nissan LEAF and e-NV200 vehicles produced up until 2016 will shut down from April 1, 2024, in preparation of the 2G technology sunset.
“The discontinuation of the NissanConnect EV app for these specific models is related to the Mobile Network Operators’ decision to sunset 2G technology and impacts all car manufacturers.
“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.”
Robert Johnson is a UK-based business writer specializing in finance and entrepreneurship. With an eye for market trends and a keen interest in the corporate world, he offers readers valuable insights into business developments.
