Poised for Paris: Nissan electric SUV concept to debut at Paris Motor Show

By Amir Iliaifar Published August 9, 2012

Poised for Paris Nissan electric SUV concept to debut at Paris Motor Show — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Right now, the amount of all-electric vehicles available to consumers is rather limited, and the ones that are available — or on the horizon — range from moderately expensive (Nissan Leaf), unfortunately expensive (Tesla Model S), and so expensive that we should totally be friends so we can borrow your (Audi R8 e-tron).

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That said, automakers are slowly getting behind EVs. And one of the leaders in this field happens to be Nissan. The company played a key role in the resurgence of the modern electric car when production of the Leaf kicked into gear back in 2010. And now, it looks like the Japanese automaker will debut another battery-powered car — only this time it will be of the SUV variety and is set to debut at this year’s Paris Motor Show.

Speaking to motoring.com.au, Jeff Fisher, Nissan Australia’s General Manager of Media Inquiries, revealed the company’s plan for the upcoming show.

“At Paris…[Nissan will] have an SUV concept, with zero emissions; so an electric SUV concept vehicle,” said Fisher.

Right now, the electric car market is primarily three-tiered, with compact, midsize, and sportier performance-based electrics the only true choice for consumers. If Nissan is indeed contemplating an all-electric crossover it would fill a much needed void in the current EV market. Ironically enough, though, the introduction of an all-electric CUV from Nissan would see it lose its position at the vanguard of consumer-bound electric vehicles, and follow in the footsteps of upcoming 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV and Tesla Model X crossover. The former will enter limited production later this year, while the latter will begin shipping out in 2013.

While nothing has been confirmed, the notion of Nissan introducing a more utility-centered electric vehicle makes sense. The Japanese automaker already showed off its Hi-Cross hybrid concept (pictured) at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, which featured a direct-injected 2.0-liter gasoline engine backed by an electric motor. A purely battery-powered model would by all measures scrap that motor for the 80-kilowatt variety found in the Leaf. Needless to say, we should gain a clearer picture of things to come at this year’s Paris Auto Show.

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Former Digital Trends Contributor

Associate Automotive Section Editor for Digital Trends, Amir Iliaifar covers the ever increasing cross-section between tech…

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Jeep just pulled the wraps off the all-new Compass EV, and while it’s an exciting leap into the electric future, there's a catch—it might not make it to the U.S. anytime soon.
This is a brand new electric version of the Jeep Compass, and being built on Stellantis' STLA platform—the same architecture underpinning models like the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008—it looks much slicker and packs a lot more inside than previous versions of the Compass.
Let’s start with what’s cool: the new Compass EV is packing up to 404 miles of range on a single charge, a 74 kWh battery, and fast-charging that gets you from 20% to 80% in about 30 minutes. Not bad for a compact SUV with Jeep's badge on the nose.
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The design's been refreshed too, and inside you’ll find the kind of tech and comfort you’d expect in a modern EV—sleek, smart, and ready for both city streets and dirt trails.
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Plans to build it in Canada were recently put on hold, with production now delayed until at least early 2026. Some of that might have to do with possible U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican vehicles—adding a layer of uncertainty to the whole rollout.
According to Kelley Blue Book, a Stellantis spokesperson confirmed that the company has “temporarily paused work on the next-generation Jeep Compass, including activities at” the Canadian plant that was originally meant to build the model. They added that Stellantis is “reassessing its product strategy in North America” to better match customer needs and demand for different powertrain options.
So while Europe and other markets are gearing up to get the Compass EV soon, American drivers might be left waiting—or miss out entirely.
That’s a shame, because on paper, this electric Jeep hits a lot of sweet spots. Let’s just hope it finds a way over here.