Nissan confirms all-electric Micra is coming — RIP Nissan Leaf?

Nissan confirms all-electric Micra is coming — RIP Nissan Foliage?

(Image credit: Nissan)

Nissan has just confirmed that it has a new electric car in the works, fix to launch in Europe in 2025. The long-serving Nissan Micra is getting the electric handling, and Nissan is getting some help from Renault to make it happen.

This news shouldn't come as a huge shock, since Nissan already appear it was working on a smaller EV that was designed to replace the current Nissan Micra. Now we get to see exactly what sort of car Nissan has planned, though information technology's unclear what this means for the entry level Nissan Leaf EV.

For those that don't know, the Nissan Micra is a compact hatchback that's currently only sold in Europe and other select markets. It likewise has an identical design to the 2nd generation Nissan Leaf — admitting with a gas tank and engine instead of a battery and charging port.

Teaser images released by Nissan testify off a new Micra that is very different to the current iteration. It'south nonetheless a fairly big machine, but looks like someone combined the modern design with the supermini Micras that were sold between 2002 and 2017.

The automobile still has the flat-roofed hatchback design as the electric current Micra, though the more than direct-edged design has been replaced with more pronounced curves at the front and rear. The rounded lights likewise retrieve to older models, albeit without the bulbous bug-eyed shape.

Co-ordinate to Nissan, the automaker designed the machine, but engineering and manufacturing duties will exist left to Renault. The 2 companies share a common CMF-BEV platform, as part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance.

The platform will be shared with the upcoming Renault five, and is said to reduce costs past 33% and power consumption by 10% compared to the Renault Zoe — which is set to be discontinued past 2024. Lower costs are especially important, especially for an entry level car, and hopefully means the electrical Micra will be even more accessible.

Nissan Leaf by some other name?

Of form, in that location are some obvious comparisons that need to exist made with the Nissan Leaf — an entry-level EV and the but pure electric Nissan on sale. Or at least, information technology will be until the Nissan Ariya launches later this year.

The electric current iteration of the automobile launched in 2017, and is starting to bear witness its age as other automakers outset taking electric cars more seriously.

Nosotros already know that the Leaf is on its mode out. Nissan previously announced that it was developing an all-electrical crossover to supercede the electric current model in 2025. So far Nissan hasn't revealed whether this car will comport the Leaf proper noun, or if it will be something else entirely.

Nissan has only confirmed that the electric Micra will come up to Europe, and has made no mention of whether it volition launch in other markets. That means it would be a pretty shoddy successor to the Foliage, which is bachelor in Europe, Nihon and N America.

Then again, as Nissan further electrifies its portfolio, is a new Leafage actually necessary? Mayhap not. The Leaf has proven to be incredibly popular, and gave Nissan a foot in the electrical car business when few other automakers were involved — peculiarly in the U.s..

Simply the automotive industry is setting targets to stop producing gasoline-powered cars within the side by side decade. Nissan itself wants at least xv pure electric vehicles on sale past 2030, with electrical cars covering 75 percent of sales in Europe, 55 percentage in Japan and xl percent in the U.S.

Y'all could argue that the Leaf served its purpose, and is succeeded by all futurity Nissan EVs rather than just a unmarried auto. Permit's just hope that there'south enough choice at entry-level price points to brand certain people can really buy ane.

Tom is the Tom's Guide's Automotive Editor, which ways he can usually be found knee deep in stats the latest and best electric cars, or checking out some sort of driving gadget. Information technology'due south long way from his days equally editor of Gizmodo UK, when pretty much everything was on the tabular array. He'southward usually institute trying to squeeze another giant Lego set onto the shelf, draining very large cups of coffee, or complaining that Ikea won't let him buy the stuff he really needs online.