Car giants Renault Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors are to invest billions of pounds in electric vehicles over the next few years, they announced on Thursday.

       The alliance of three carmakers said they will jointly launch 35 new electric vehicles over the next five years based on five common platforms, including a successor to the Nissan Micra.

       They also signalled a huge increase in global battery production.

       A general view of the Nissan Factory in Sunderland (Owen Humphreys/PA)

       (PA Archive)

       Jean-Dominique Senard, chairman of the Alliance, told a news conference: “Today the Alliance is accelerating to lead the mobility revolution and deliver more value to customers, our people, our shareholders and all our stakeholders.

       Recommended BBC apologises over report on antisemitic bus attack as Ofcom launches probe Boris Johnson’s wait for Gray report on partygate row continues Covid-19: Unlimited care home visits allowed as England lifts face mask rules

       “The three member-companies have defined a common road map towards 2030, sharing investments in future electrification and connectivity projects.

       “These are massive investments that none of the three companies could make alone.

       “Together, we are making the difference for a new and global sustainable future; the Alliance becoming carbon neutral by 2050.”

       Electric vehicles (EV) gathered at SMMT Drive Zero 2020 (SMMT/PA)

       (PA Media)

       Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi have already invested billions of pounds in electric vehicles (EV).

       In Europe, Japan the US, and China 15 Alliance plants already produce parts, motors, batteries for 10 EV models on the streets, with more than one million EV cars sold so far.

       The Alliance announced it is accelerating with a total of 23 billion euros (around ￡19 billion) more investment in the next five years on electrification, leading to 35 new EV models by 2030.

       Recommended Teacher goes viral for sharing ‘profound’ answers his six-year-old students give Record mortgage lending helps TSB swing back to profit Support grows for Gordon Brown’s humanitarian campaign to help Afghanistan

       The Alliance added it was working with partners to reduce battery costs by 50% in 2026 and 65% by 2028.

       90% of these models will be based on five common EV platforms, covering most markets, in all major regions: