Nissan has announced three new projects to improve energy access, boost low carbon mobility and help disaster relief efforts.

The carmaker says it aims to use electric batteries to create a cleaner, safer, fairer future for the 1.3 billion people around the world living in communities where power generation and access to electricity is heavily restricted or unavailable.

The three projects, which will be piloted in 2018, include building a micro-grid system for local communities in a developing country which doesn’t have sustainable access to energy.

Another will involve partnering with organisations in areas affected by natural disasters to see how the firm can help, for example, using a Nissan electric van equipped with battery packs to provide a mobile, sustainable back-up energy source in the event of major power cuts.

Nissan will also equip a residential building in Europe with a solar power system, battery storage units, vehicle-to-grid technology and new Nissan LEAFs for car-sharing.