Electric Nissan Juke Or Rogue SUV On The Way?

Originally published on EV Obsession.

The electric SUV market is a nearly barren one, with the Tesla Model X and the plug-in hybrid Mitsubishi Outlander being the only real options.

That may soon be changing, though, with Nissan (of all companies…) apparently considering electrifying its popular Juke and Rogue models, according to the noted British magazine Autocar.

After all of these years wondering what Nissan is doing dragging its feet on electric vehicles, it would be quite interesting if an electric version of the Juke or Rogue was to appear around the same time as the refreshed LEAF, in 2017/2018. (Editor’s Note: I love the Nissan Juke design and have to admit I’d be tempted by an all-electric Juke … if it had the right price and range, and Supercharging access.)

Release times are up in the air, though, with Nissan’s Gareth Dunsmore being quoted as saying that the company would be combining its electric car technologies with its crossover business “in the future.” A vague statement … to be blunt … so who knows on timing? Notably, though, the Juke is now over 7 years old and certainly due for a refresh.

As the refreshed Nissan LEAF that’s set to hit the market in the relatively near future will possess a range of (up to) 200 miles per charge, and a battery-pack size of (up to) 60 kilowatt-hours (kWh), one would guess that an all-electric version of the Juke or Rogue would feature similar range options.

A 200-mile all-electric Nissan SUV available for ~$40,000 in 2018 or 2019 would likely sell quite well. And would perhaps be a means of growing market share even with strong competition from Tesla and GM/Chevy. It doesn’t seem likely that a crossover version of the Tesla Model 3 would hit the market before 2020 or so.

So… there’s certainly an opportunity there. Hopefully Nissan follows through on this one.