Carmaker Nissan has confirmed an app that powers remote control functions on certain pre-2016 EV models will stop working next month in preparation for the UK’s 2G and 3G switch off.
The UK government and mobile operators have agreed to switch off their 2G and 3G networks by 2033. With the agreed date being almost nine years away, early adopters off Nissan’s EVs have criticised the carmaker for its decision to switch off the app next month.
According to BBC reports, some Nissan Leaf owners received emails from the car firm last Wednesday stating that the app – which controls features such as heating the car or charging remotely at cheaper times – will stop working next month.
Around 3,000 Nissan Leaf and e-NV200 cars made before 2016 are affected by the withdrawal of the NissanConnect EV application, as these older vehicles are fitted with 2G control units which communicate with the app.
The carmaker told the BBC: “The NissanConnect EV app currently linked to Nissan Leaf and e-NV200 vehicles produced up until 2016 will shut down from 1 April 2024 in preparation of the 2G technology sunset.”
Experts expect the issue to affect more electric vehicles as the market grows although just over two years ago Nissan committed to spending £13bn over a five year period towards switching to EVs.
The future of some smart electricity meters has also been thrown into doubt due to the 2G/3G switch off, while the Local Government Association has warned that parking meters, alarm systems and telecare devices also risk facing disruption.
In the US, several operators have already sunsetted their 2G and/or 3G networks to free up spectrum to support 4G and 5G deployments. AT&T was one of the first to take the step, shutting down most of its 2G network in 2017, although it left some functionality alive to support pre-existing IoT deployments and services.
In Europe, French firms are set to shut off 2G networks from 2025 and 2026, with 3G following from 2028, while all operators in Germany will sunset their networks from next year.
