Nissan Developing ZOE-Based Smaller-Than-LEAF Electric Car

2016 Renault ZOE Swiss Edition (limited edition)

Nissan LEAF

If true…this car would be a real winner.

Reports suggest that Nissan is working on a ZOE-based electric car of its own. This would be a subcompact Nissan EV then and it's sure to get the ZOE's newly announced 41 kWh battery ^[2], which could potentially put range into the 200-ish mile territory.

There's no official word from Nissan yet on this ZOE-based EV, but Auto Express reports:

"Nissan is weighing up its options as to how it will expand its range of pure electric vehicles, with a Ford Fiesta-sized model lined up to join the Nissan Leaf, according to a senior company source."

"Gareth Dunsmore, the man in charge of Nissan's EV programme in Europe, told Auto Express that a sports car is not a priority for the brand."

"Instead, he gave the strongest indication yet on what's likely to get the green light, saying: "We've invested $5.4bn (£4.1bn) in electric cars such as the Leaf, so we need to ensure we're satisfying as many types of customer as possible. In Europe, that could mean looking towards B-segment hatches [Ford Fiesta size] and SUVs or crossovers."

Definitely not set in stone, but the ZOE is the ideal candidate for Nissan to have its own version if indeed it's looking at launching an EV smaller than the LEAF.

Auto Express adds:

"The smaller vehicle could become a sister car to the Renault ZOE, potentially using its platform and battery technology."

Nissan has long stated that it would prefer to do only mainstream EVs, so with subcompacts selling rather well, especially in Europe, perhaps a ZOE-based Nissan electric car makes sense? Just give it 4 doors and a hatch though…please.

Source: Auto Express ^[3]

Tags: electric nissan, featured, Nissan, Nissan Micra EV, Nissan new EV, subcompact nissan ev ^[4]^[5]^[6]^[7]^[8]^[9]