Nissan will stop developing new internal combustion engines for Europe, as consumers want electric vehicles and upcoming emission changes.

Nissan Chief Operating Officer Ashwani Gupta confirmed the move while announcing the company's financial results, says Europe Automotive News.

The Nissan Leaf all-electric hatchback is popular in Europe with over 200,000 sales in 2021.

The development halt will coincide with the introduction of Euro 7 emissions standards by 2025. 

The new standard has been opposed by the auto industry because the planned limits are 5 times to 10 times harsher than those for Euro 6, says Europe Automotive News.

Gupta said Nissan will continue developing combustion power plants for other markets where they make sense. 

In New Zealand last year, there was 142 all-electric Nissan Leaf hatchbacks sold, with the car taking the third spot behind Tesla Model 3 (511) and 236 Hyundai Konas.