The Future of Electric Crossovers: Nissan Juke EV to Launch in the UK

Nissan is one of the leading automakers in the electric vehicle (EV) market, with models such as the Leaf and the Ariya. But the Japanese company is not resting on its laurels, as it has announced its intention to launch an electric version of its popular compact crossover, the Juke, in the UK by the second half of the decade.

The Nissan Juke EV Will Cost the Same as the Petrol Model

The most remarkable feature of the electric Juke is that Nissan aims to make it cost the same as the current petrol-powered model, which starts from around $28,000 in the UK. This is a bold move, considering that EVs tend to be more expensive than their combustion counterparts due to the high cost of batteries and other components.

Nissan has admitted that achieving this price parity is a challenge, but it is confident that it can leverage its experience and expertise in EV technology to make it happen. The company has also invested heavily in its Sunderland plant, where the Juke is built, to design, engineer and produce the next-generation EV versions of the Juke and the Qashqai, another popular crossover.

The Nissan Juke EV will use the same platform as the Qashqai and the Leaf, the CMF-EV, which is a bespoke electric architecture designed for C- and D-segment vehicles. This means that the Juke could potentially grow in size slightly, as the current model uses the CMF-B platform designed for smaller B-segment cars.

The Nissan Juke EV Will Have a Fresh and Futuristic Design

The electric Juke will not only have a new powertrain, but also a new design, inspired by the Hyper Punk concept that Nissan unveiled at the 2023 Tokyo Motor Show. The Hyper Punk is a radical and futuristic vision of a compact crossover, tailored for content creators, influencers, artists and those who embrace style and innovation.

The Hyper Punk features a bold, multifaceted and polygonal surface that transforms its appearance depending on the angle and the light. It also has a seamless connection between the virtual and physical worlds, as well as the inside and outside of the car. For example, onboard cameras capture the scenery around the car and AI converts them into manga-style patterns that are displayed across a three-screen cockpit, creating a space where reality meets the metaverse.

The Nissan Juke EV will not be as extreme as the Hyper Punk, but it will borrow some of its design cues and technologies, such as the V-shaped grille, the 23-inch wheels, the V2X system that allows the car to act as a mobile power bank, and the AI and headrest biosensors that can detect the driver’s mood and select the right music and lighting.

The Nissan Juke EV Will Be Part of Nissan’s Electrification Strategy

The Nissan Juke EV is part of Nissan’s ambitious electrification strategy, which aims to make all its models in the UK electrified by 2030. The company has also announced a £1 billion flagship EV manufacturing ecosystem called EV36Zero, which will bring together electric vehicles, renewable energy, and battery production in Sunderland.

Nissan hopes that the electric Juke will appeal to a new generation of car buyers who are looking for a stylish, versatile, and affordable EV that can meet their needs in both the city and the countryside. The electric Juke will also benefit from Nissan’s proven track record in EV quality and reliability, as well as its extensive charging network and customer service.

The Nissan Juke EV is expected to launch in the UK around 2025, although the exact date will depend on market conditions and consumer demand. Nissan has not revealed any details about the performance, range or battery capacity of the electric Juke, but it is likely that it will offer a competitive package that can rival other electric crossovers in the segment, such as the Hyundai Kona Electric, the Kia e-Niro and the Peugeot e-2008.