Nissan is teaming up with renowned international architects Foster + Partners to design and develop the Fuel Station of the Future.

The project aims to challenge conventions to offer a fascinating view of how fuelling stations will adapt in a rapidly changing world.

As market experts in EV design, engineering and manufacturing, Nissan recognised that the refuelling infrastructure of the future represents the perfect opportunity to integrate and engage with local environments in an innovative way – potentially providing an energy and societal hub for modern communities.

The need for a sustainable and innovative refuelling network is seen as vital as the market shifts toward alternative sources like electric power.

The concept is to be anchored at the heart of a world that is concerned with a zero-emissions society, connected communities, autonomous drive and the Internet of things. It will demonstrate the host of benefits brought by a smart EV ecosystem - not just in terms of mobility, but in harnessing the potential of battery storage and vehicle-to-grid systems.

Nissan will collaborate closely with Foster + Partners over the coming months to present its vision for the Fuel Station of the Future later this year.

David Nelson, Head of Design at Foster + Partners, said: “The aim of our collaboration with Nissan is to highlight the magnitude of the challenge that we face in evolving our cities to meet change. New technologies, alternative forms of fuel and changing trends within our society are all having a huge impact on the way we get around.  It seems to be clear that electric vehicles will be a major feature of the urban landscape and, as a result, this presents an exciting opportunity to rethink the fuel station for future generations; a new approach to design will create a more integrated and communal role within our towns and cities. As the leaders in the electric vehicle market, Nissan has been critical in providing insight on how the motorists of the future will interact with the built environment.”

 Jean-Pierre Diernaz, Director of Electric Vehicles at Nissan, said: “Our current refuelling infrastructure model is out-dated and faces an uncertain future unless it rapidly adapts to support the changing needs of consumers. By 2020, there will be almost one million EVs on the road, so it is imperative that there is an infrastructure in place to support this growth. This initiative will take the first steps along that road to examine the wider transportation landscape and reimagine the future of mobility, preparing our cities for a more sustainable future.”

The collaboration to conceive a bold new vision of the fuel station comes as the popularity of electric vehicles continues to increase, with sales of Nissan EVs in Europe up by 33% in 2014 and projections suggesting that current growth trends will only accelerate in pace.