Nissan To Introduce Range-Extended Electric Version Of The Note

Nissan will soon be introducing (to the Japanese market, at least) a new range-extended electric version of the Note, according to recent reports which Nissan has declined to confirm.

The range-extended version of the compact hatchback will apparently be going on sale fairly soon in the Japanese market — in November, according to the leak. The starting price for the model will reportedly be somewhere around ¥2 million (~$19,000).

Nissan Note

The timing of the move is interesting. While the Chevy Bolt (Vauxhall/Opel Ampera-e) won’t be released in the Japanese market as far as I know, the timing does seem to draw an interesting parallel with the soon-to-be-released American long-range electric vehicle (EV).

While the LEAF can’t really function as a competitor to the Bolt (not even the upcoming longer-range version of it, in my opinion), a range-extended version of the Note could provide a compelling alternative for some, amongst those who prefer to stick with the Nissan brand.

Green Car Reports continues: “The range-extended model will be a variant of the Nissan Note subcompact hatchback, and will go on sale in the company’s home market in November, according to Nikkei Asian Review. It describes a Note model in which ‘the wheels will only get power from the battery,’ but gives few other details.”

Given the choice of the Note as the model to offer a range-extended version of, it’s a bit unclear what Nissan’s plans are for the American market. The Note (the Versa Note), after all, doesn’t sell that well in the US.