Nissan Plans Affordable Electric Car for 2027, With a Range of 263 Kilometers

Nissan is preparing a low-cost electric car aimed at European buyers, with a projected price below €20,000, or about NT$730,000. Overseas reports say the model could launch in the first half of 2027 under the name Wave.

The car would sit below Nissan's current Micra and is being viewed as the company's version of the Renault Twingo. A test vehicle has recently appeared on European public roads. Heavy camouflage still covers the body, but the headlights and front-end shape show Nissan design elements.

The Wave is expected to use the same AmpR Small platform as the Twingo. Reports say it will have a 27.5-kWh lithium iron phosphate battery and a single 60-kW electric motor producing about 82 horsepower. Its maximum WLTP range is projected at 263 kilometers. The model is not designed around performance. Its smaller body and battery are intended to lower production and purchase costs.

Nissan faces an aggressive low-price push from Chinese electric-car brands such as BYD in Europe. The company has also halted development of an electric version of the Qashqai, previously regarded as an important product. Those factors have increased the importance of an affordable small EV in Nissan's lineup.

Production is expected to take place alongside the Twingo at Renault Group's plant in Novo Mesto, Slovakia. Nissan hopes that sharing the platform and production resources with Renault will reduce development costs and help it regain market share in Europe. Nissan has not yet confirmed the final name, specifications, driving range or price.