A project to design the fuel station of the future has been set up by car maker Nissan in partnership with leading architectural practice Foster and Partners.

The project will explore how zero-emission technology will influence future design and how fuel stations will have to adapt to issues such as electronic vehicles, and the final concept will be unveiled later this year.

David Nelson, head of design at Foster and 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.”