Nissan’s Micra looks way better as an EV with an ‘audacious’ design and surprising range
The Micra is back and better than ever. Nissan introduced the sixth-gen Micra on Wednesday, now an EV with an “audacious” new look, advanced tech, and over 250 miles (408 km) of driving range. Here’s our first look at Nissan’s new electric car.
Nissan unveils the new Micra EV with +250 miles range
After years of teasing an electric Micra replacement, Nissan finally unveiled the new EV on Wednesday. The Nissan Micra EV arrives with a stylish new design and plenty of upgrades.
The iconic compact car returns for its sixth generation with an “audacious” new look closer to that of an SUV. The EV model stands more upright than the iconic Micra of the past. It also gains wider wheel arches and a redesigned front end, giving it a more modern or “electrified” feel.
Nissan’s designers call the new waistline, or where the front headlight lens curves into the side, the “ice cream scoop.”
If you can’t see why, the company said it’s “reminiscent of the shape a scoop would make if dragged across the surface of untouched ice cream.
The interior has also been revamped with dual 10.1″ navigation and driver display screens and a three-spoke steering wheel. Nissan included hidden design features based on Mount Fuji in the storage space between the front seats.
Revamped inside and out
Nissan’s new electric Micra is its second vehicle in Europe with Google built-in and Nissan Connect for seamless streaming and navigation.
Although it’s less than 4 meters (157″) long, Nissan promises the Micra EV “punches well above its weight” with up to 1,106 liters of interior space.
The electric city car will be available with two battery options: 40 kWh or 52 kWh, providing a WLTP driving range of 310 km (192 miles) and 408 km (253 miles). That’s a big upgrade from the outgoing LEAF EV, which had a range of up to 270 km (167 miles) from a 40 kWh battery pack.
With a 100 kW DC charger, the new Nissan Micra EV can recharge from 15% to 80% in about 30 minutes. It will also include vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities, which can power electronics, home appliances, camping sites, and other electrical devices.
The new Nissan Micra EV will go on sale in Europe later this year. Check back soon for more info, including prices, which will be revealed closer to launch.
After the electric Micra, Nissan will launch the new LEAF, Juke, and electric Qashqai models as it expands its European EV lineup.
The new Nissan Micra EV follows BYD’s introduction of its best-selling electric car in Europe on Wednesday. BYD’s Seagull EV is rebranded as the “Dolphin Mini” in Europe, and prices start at 23,000 euros ($26,000).
Will the Nissan Micra EV compete with BYD’s low-cost Dolphin Mini? It will be interesting to see Europe’s top-selling electric cars next year when both of them roll out. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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Shares of USA Rare Earth jumped in extended trading Thursday, after CEO Barbara Humpton told CNBC that the rare earth miner is “in close communication” with the White House.
Humpton’s comment comes after the Trump administration took a 5% equity stake in Lithium Americas this week. The Defense Department took a 15% stake in rare earth miner MP Materials in July.
“We are in close communication with the administration,” Humpton told CNBC’s Morgan Brennan when asked whether USA Rare Earth was interested in a deal with the Trump administration.
USA Rare Earth stock year to date.
USA Rare Earth shares were last up about 8% after hours. Its stock gained 23% in regular trading Thursday and has nearly doubled this year.
“This is a field where it will not be a zero sum game,” Humpton said of the rare earth supply chain. “It’s going to take a lot of players to build out this marketplace.”
USA Rare Earth is developing a mine in Sierra Blanca, Texas, and a magnet production facility in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Humpton said she supports the Trump administration’s deals with MP and Lithium Americas.
“What we’re doing is keeping the administration informed of our own plans,” she said.
The adminstration has said it is making the investments to help support the industry and break U.S. dependence on China.
Environment
Tesla applies for patent to make Cybertruck look even more ridiculous but more efficient
Tesla has applied for a new patent that would make the Cybertruck look even more ridiculous than it already does, but it would also make towing more efficient.
The Cybertruck is one of, if not the most, polarizing vehicles of all time, and its design is primarily to blame.
Much of the design is due to the use of stainless steel panels and the attempt to make pickup trucks more aerodynamically efficient.
Tesla has managed to improve on the drag coefficient of the average pickup truck.
However, it doesn’t help much with towing a trailer, which is going to catch a lot of that drag.
Tesla has now applied for a new patent on a device that would help push wind over a trailer towed by the Cybertruck.
The American automaker wrote in the abstract of the patent application:
An inflatable aerodynamic deflector to reduce drag and enhance efficiency. Constructed from drop stitch material, it forms one or more air chambers between parallel skins. The component includes a pressure regulation mechanism and diverse attachment interfaces such as rail systems, magnetic fasteners, and quick disconnect clips, distributed along the vehicle for secure mounting. This component acts as an aerodynamic deflector, optimizing airflow around conveyances, especially combination vehicles like tow vehicles and trailers.
In short, Tesla is working on an inflatable device that could sit on the bed of the Cybertruck and rise to close the air gap between the truck, thereby extending the angle of the windshield over the trailer.
Here are some of the drawings from the patent application
Electrek’s Take
To be fair, companies often apply for patents on products that they don’t have concrete plans to bring to production, and this could easily be the case here.
That’s especially true for the Cybertruck.
The program is so much smaller than Tesla anticipated, and with smaller volumes, it makes less sense to launch accessories.
That said, I’m pro everything that makes driving more efficient, regardless of whether it makes a vehicle silly.
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The 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric lineup will be offered in a single trim, but at least it’s the most affordable one.
Here’s the new 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric lineup
With the IONIQ 5 stealing the spotlight, Hyundai is downsizing the 2026 Kona Electric to just one trim — the base SE model.
Hyundai didn’t provide prices, but the 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric SE was the brand’s most affordable EV, starting at just $32,975. The SEL, Limited, and N Line trims will not be offered for the 2026 model year.
In another blow, Hyundai is also dropping the Long Range battery, meaning the 2026 Kona Electric will only be available with the Standard Range battery.
The Long Range 64.8 kWh battery offers a driving range of up to 261 miles, while the Standard Range 48.6 kWh battery delivers a driving range of just 200 miles. The only other change is that the SE trim will now include a larger console tray.
With new models arriving, like the 2026 Nissan LEAF and the 2027 Chevy Bolt EV, the Kona Electric will no longer be one of the few EVs starting under $35,000.
Nissan claims the 2026 LEAF “has the lowest starting MSRP for any new EV currently on sale in the US” at just $29,990. The new LEAF also offers significantly more range, with over 300 miles, and features a NACS port for recharging at Tesla Superchargers.
While it’s cutting the Kona Electric lineup, Hyundai appears to be focused on its top-selling EV for 2026, the IONIQ 5.
Following the expiration of the federal EV tax credit, Hyundai reduced prices on the 2026 IONIQ 5 by up to nearly $10,000 on certain trims. The 2026 IONIQ 5 now starts at just $35,000. It’s also extending the $7,500 credit for 2025 models.
Is the Kona Electric on its way out with the IONIQ 5 now available for about the same price? Either that, or Hyundai will have to cut prices on the Kona EV to stay competitive.
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