Electrifying times for Nissan: Britain’s biggest car maker
Electrifying times for Nissan: Britain’s biggest car maker prepares for arrival of third generation LEAF and updated Qashqai e-POWER, plus new Juke EV coming in FY26.
- Third generation of pioneering British-built LEAF EV will appeal thanks to sleek design
- Nissan’s updated e-POWER will offer improved refinement, efficiency and emissions
- Designed in London - all-new Micra set for launch as compact electric vehicle
- Third generation JUKE to follow in FY26 as a pure EV
Nissan’s ongoing electrified product offensive will be powered up with the launch of two all-new electric vehicles in 2025 – and a third coming soon - as well as an update to one of its most innovative and popular technologies.
Workers at Britain’s biggest car plant in Sunderland are preparing to start production of an all-new third generation version of Nissan’s pioneering LEAF electric vehicle, with first cars rolling off the production line later this year.
In addition, the 6,000-strong team will build upgraded versions of the Qashqai – one of the UK’s best-selling cars – thanks to new e-POWER technology that enhances refinement and efficiency.
And the next generation Juke – available for the first time as an EV – will arrive in FY26.
As if all that wasn’t enough, Nissan will also launch an all-new fully electric Micra in 2025, designed by the team at Nissan Design Europe, based in Paddington, London.
Return of Micra as an EV
First to launch in 2025 will be the all-new Micra. It will remain true to the DNA of its predecessors with a compelling mix of audacious style and simplicity in a compact package.
The new Micra was designed at Nissan Design Europe in London, using AmpR Small platform shared with Renault's R5. It will be available with two battery options: 40 and 52kWh, providing a maximum range of over 248 miles. Sales of the new Micra will begin before the end of the year. It will be built at Ampere ElectriCity plant in Douai, France
Third generation of Leaf EV to follow
The second new vehicle to be launched in Europe in 2025 also represents the return of a historic nameplate, LEAF – a badge forever associated with the pioneering EV which started the mass-market electric vehicle revolution when it was introduced in 2010.
The third generation of LEAF will attract buyers thanks to its eye-catching aerodynamic shape. It has been developed on Nissan’s CMF-EV platform, architecture it shares with its larger sibling, the Ariya.
The European version of the new LEAF will be manufactured at Nissan’s state-of-the-art production facility in Sunderland, in the north-east of England. It forms part of Nissan’s EV36Zero project– a blueprint that will transform Sunderland Plant into a flagship EV hub, bringing together electric vehicles, renewable energy and battery production.
Nissan’s updated e-POWER will offer more refinement and efficiency
Having reinvented the hybrid powertrain when it was launched in 2022, Nissan’s unique e-POWER technology will also benefit from an upgrade this year. Following the Japanese principle of Kaizen – continuous improvement – the changes to the e-POWER system on Qashqai will deliver improvements to its emissions, efficiency and refinement, bringing the driving experience even closer to that of a full EV. Nearly 250,000 e-POWER equipped vehicles have been sold in Europe since its introduction.
Third generation JUKE to follow in FY26 as pure EV
Beyond 2025, Nissan’s engineers continue to develop the third generation of its JUKE compact crossover, which is scheduled for launch in FY2026 as an EV, based on the Hyper Punk concept car which was presented in October 2023 at the Japan Mobility Show.
Speaking about all the product updates in the coming years, Leon Dorssers, Regional Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Nissan AMIEO (Africa, Middle-East, India, Europe & Oceania) region, said: “The renewal of Nissan’s European line-up is the realisation of our bold plan to electrify our range in Europe. All the new models will share common Nissan DNA: striking design, technical innovation and intuitive technology – a combination of qualities which we are confident will attract new buyers to Nissan, as well as continuing to appeal to existing customers who already love how Nissan vehicles enrich their daily lives.”
David Moss, Senior Vice President, Region Research & Development, AMIEO, said: “As well as welcoming the return of the Micra as an EV and the third generation of our revolutionary LEAF, we’ve made significant steps with one of our most popular technologies. Having reinvented the hybrid with introduction of e-POWER by making it quieter and more responsive than a traditional hybrid, the forthcoming updates to e-POWER will make it even more efficient, more refined and closer overall to a pure EV-driving experience. It will remain the powertrain of choice for buyers who love the feel of driving electric, but don’t want to recharge.”