Mitsubishi to launch EV based on next-gen Nissan Leaf

Disclaimer: The photo above is an AI-generated image

Mitsubishi Motors and Nissan have been leveraging their partnership to expand their model range in select markets. In the country alone, Nissan is using the Xpander platform for the Livina MPV, while the next-generation Navara is set to borrow bits from the Mitsubishi Triton.

When it comes to electric vehicles, though, it’s time for Mitsubishi to make good use of Nissan’s learnings. The Japanese manufacturer has announced it will launch a new battery electric vehicle based on the next-generation Nissan Leaf.

For those not yet in the know, the next-generation Leaf is set to become a crossover. It will receive Nissan’s modular CMF-EV platform – the electric architecture that underpins the Nissan Ariya.

Mitsubishi Motors has yet to share an image of what the new EV could look like. But considering the Nissan Ariya’s size, the new Mitsubishi EV could very well be competing in the compact crossover segment when it is launched.

Nissan expects a range of up to 600 km on the next-generation Leaf – almost three times the range of the current Leaf that we have in the country. In terms of charging, the next-generation Leaf will have an integrated NACS charging port where owners can use Tesla’s Supercharger network to charge. If that’s the case, then we could expect the new Mitsubishi EV to also have those capabilities.

On the other hand, Nissan is set to benefit from Mitsubishi’s learnings when it comes to plug-in hybrids, as the latter is set to supply an OEM model to Nissan. Both the Nissan-based Mitsubishi EV and the Mitsubishi-based Nissan PHEV are directed towards the North American market by 2026.

While that’s the situation for now, Mitsubishi and Nissan say they will explore further collaboration opportunities, including introducing the models to Australia and other markets.