Nissan has confirmed its next-generation electric vehicles to dealerships this week, providing a glimpse into its forthcoming product lineup. The manufacturer unveiled a trio of new electric vehicles, including an updated version of its iconic LEAF hatchback, a fuel-efficient sedan designed to replace the Maxima, and a third electrified model.
Nissan announces trio of electric vehicles for dealerships.
Top Nissan executives have unveiled dozens of fresh and modernized models, aligning with the company’s efforts to revamp its product lineup.
The automaker is poised to initiate its electric vehicle (EV) marketing push around 2025, with dealerships informed of its plans to debut 27 electrified models by 2030, comprising 19 all-electric vehicles.
Nissan has unveiled a glimpse of three upcoming electric vehicle designs expected to hit the market in the near future. Based on the report, the potential successor to the LEAF could take the form of a crossover-style coupe, blending the practicality and efficiency of an electric vehicle with the sleek design and driving dynamics of a sporty coupe. Dubbed a “mini-Ariya” by one vendor.
Sellers are informed that they will be able to supply 25% more range than the current model, effectively extending the driving distance to approximately 265 miles, a significant increase over the 60 kWh battery capacity of the Nissan LEAF SV Plus.
A new electric vehicle, specifically an efficiency-focused sedan, has been proven, with the potential to replace the existing Nissan Maxima model, according to the report. The Japanese automaker has successfully developed a new electric crossover SUV, built upon its dedicated CMF-EV platform, which is also utilized in the innovative Ariya EV model.
Last month, Nissan’s production planning indicated plans to launch two new electric sedans under both the Nissan and Infiniti brands starting in 2025, followed by a pair of electric crossovers at its Canton manufacturing facility the subsequent year.
Sticking to a hybrid technique
Despite previewing three new electric vehicles (EVs), manufacturers have been further solidifying Nissan’s impending internal combustion engine (ICE) lineup. Honing a hybrid approach akin to that of Toyota, Honda CEO Makoto Uchida is committed to allocating resources to both ICE and EV developments.
Nissan plans to bring its e-Energy series-hybrid technology to the US market by the second half of 2026, according to recent announcements. Launched in Japan in 2016, this innovative technology utilizes an electric motor to power the vehicle’s wheels while still utilizing a gasoline engine to recharge the battery.
Notably, Nissan has been touting details about its solid-state battery development efforts, emulating the transparency typically associated with Toyota’s approach to innovation disclosure. The automaker claims its new batteries are compact and capable of delivering up to 100 miles of range within a quarter-hour with rapid charging. Nissan intends to initiate a pilot production run at its Yokohama facility within the next 12 months.
Electrek’s Take
Although Nissan was initially hailed as a pioneer in electric vehicle technology with the launch of the LEAF, it has since struggled to maintain its early momentum.
The Nissan LEAF, which debuted in December 2010, enjoyed a prolonged period of being the top-selling electric vehicle (EV). Notwithstanding this, most automakers have now caught up, unveiling their own electric vehicle models.
Nissan failed to update the LEAF over time, leaving a significant gap in the market waiting to be filled. After a decade-long wait, Nissan finally launched its second purely electric vehicle, the Ariya, which has surprisingly surpassed the sales of its iconic LEAF model in the US market from the very start.
Nissan’s commitment to hybrids remains unchanged, effectively putting off the inevitable shift towards electric vehicles. Had Nissan unveiled these electric vehicles three to five years ago, they would have been significantly ahead of their time. To mitigate risk, Nissan advocates for a multifaceted approach.
As Nissan’s iconic electric vehicle, the Leaf’s sluggish sales demand a swift replacement strategy, ideally initiated several years ago rather than within the next two years, given its dwindling market share.
Compared to solely focusing on meeting growing demand for electric vehicle manufacturing and assembly, Nissan’s diversified approach by exploring various market segments could make it more resilient in the face of future disruptions.
