Japanese automakers Nissan and Mitsubishi are joining forces to catch up as the US market transitions to EVs. Nissan and Mitsubishi will jointly develop an electric pickup for the US market. Is this the all-electric Frontier we’ve been waiting for?
Nissan and Mitsubishi electric pickup destined for the US
Shortly after confirming a new EV partnership with rival Honda, Nissan announced another collaboration with Japan’s Mitsubishi.
The automakers are teaming up after falling behind as the market shifts to electric beneath its feet. Nissan, once seen as an EV leader, with the launch of the LEAF in 2010, took over a decade to release its second global EV, the Ariya.
Now, it looks to make up for lost time. Nissan’s CEO, Makoto Uchida, revealed the automaker’s collaboration plans to take on the US market this week.
According to Automotive News, Nissan will launch its first plug-in hybrid in the US using a Mitsubishi-engineered system. On the other hand, Mitsubishi will launch its first North American-made EV using Nissan’s electric tech.
Nissan and Mitsubishi have bigger plans. They plan to jointly develop an electric pickup for the US market, which will be produced in Mexico. Fully electric and PHEV versions are being considered.
Nissan “Surf-Out” EV pickup concept (Source: Nissan)
The model will likely arrive in the US as an electric version of Nissan’s best-selling pickup, the Frontier. It could also expand Mitsubishi’s lineup with the midsize EV pickup buyers and dealers are asking for.
Nissan and Mitsubishi have been intertwined since 2016. Following an emissions cheating scandal, Former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn took a 34% stake in Mitsubishi.
Nissan “Surf Out” electric pickup concept (Source: Nissan)
The two have collaborated on minicars in Japan, but North America is a priority as they look to revamp sales.
Nissan’s Chief Planning Officer Ivan Espinosa said the electric pickup is expected to roll out between March 31, 2027, and March 31, 3031.
Electrek’s Take
Is this the electric Frontier we’ve been waiting for? Nissan sold over 76,000 Frontiers in the US last year, up 26% from 2021.
The automaker revealed its new “Arc” business plan this week, which aims to drive down costs and compete with Chinese EV makers and Tesla.
Makota said Nissan “Cannot continue old ways of business from the past into the future” in January. The second part of its two-part plan includes enabling the EV transition with partnerships and differentiated products.
From 2024 to 2030, Nissan will launch 34 electrified vehicles, covering all segments. This includes pickups. Nissan expects electrified vehicles to account for 40% of global sales by 2026 and 60% by 2030.
In the US, Nissan is investing $200 million with plans to refresh 78% of its lineup. The automaker said this includes launching e-POWER and plug-in hybrids.
Meanwhile, the electric truck market is already gaining competition, with the Tesla Cybertruck and Chevy Silverado EV joining Ford’s F-150 Lightning and the Rivian R1T.
By 2027 (or even 3031), an electric Nissan/ Mitsubishi pickup will already be (way) behind the market. Meanwhile, Ford announced it’s cutting its workforce at the facility where the F-150 Lightning is built by one-third. The changes go into effect April 1, 2024.
Would you buy an electric Nissan (or Mitsubishi) pickup over the Tesla, Chevy, Ford, or Rivian models already out? Let us know what it would take in the comments.
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In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss Tesla allowing texting and driving on FSD v14, Trump killing CAFE’s MPG standard, an Aptera update, and more.
As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
After the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
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Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the podcast:
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 4:00 p.m. ET (or the video after 5 p.m. ET:
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Kia’s most affordable electric SUV will be here in just over a month. Ahead of its debut, the EV2 was spotted with light camo, offering our best look yet.
Kia EV2 looks more like an SUV with less camo
Just days after Kia confirmed the EV2 will debut at the Brussels Motor Show on January 9, 2026, the small electric SUV was spotted in Europe with barely any camo.
The EV2 is a fully electric B-segment SUV set to be Kia’s new entry-level EV. It will sit below the EV3, which is already the UK’s most popular retail electric vehicle and among the top-sellers in Europe.
“With the EV2, we reaffirm our commitment to make electric mobility truly accessible to a broader audience,” Kia Europe president and CEO, Marc Hedrich, said earlier this month.
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Despite its compact size, the EV2 looks and feels much bigger in person. It has a similar high-riding, blocky design as Kia’s latest electric SUVs, such as the EV5 and three-row EV9.
Kia EV2 teaser (Source: Kia)
In the teaser images Kia posted a few days ago, the EV2 was shown under a drape with a design that looked nearly identical to the EV2 Concept from earlier this year.
Now, we can finally confirm it. The Kia EV2 was recently spotted in Europe in light camo, rocking a tall, SUV-like stance. The latest image from KindelAuto gives us a solid look at its profile, which still resembles a mini EV5 or EV9.
Kia will begin EV2 production alongside the EV4 hatch at its Zilina, Slovakia, plant shortly after its debut at the Brussels Motor Show next month, ramping up output throughout 2026.
Although Kia has yet to reveal specifics, the EV2 is expected to be about 4,000 mm (157″) long, or slightly smaller than the EV3 at 4,300 mm (169.3″). It will be closer in size to the Hyundai Inster EV.
The Kia Concept EV2 at IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich (Source: Kia)
Prices are expected to start at around €30,000 ($35,000) in Europe, given that the EV3 starts at about €36,000 ($42,000).
The compact electric SUV is expected to ride on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform, with similar battery pack options as the EV3. The EV3 is available with 58.3 kWh and 81.4 kWh battery options, delivering a WLTP range of 410 km (255 miles) and 560 km (348 miles), respectively.
The EV2 will debut at the Brussels Motor Show on January 9, 2026. Kia will hold a press conference at 10:40 am CET to introduce the new entry-level EV. Check back for updates leading up to the event.
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Cross Segway e-scooters and e-bikes off gift lists with hundreds of savings for Christmas Holiday Sale – models start from $150
It didn’t take much time at all for Segway to change lanes from its Black Friday event into the now live Christmas Holiday Sale that saves you hundreds on the brand’s EVs, including the returning pricing on the ZT3 Pro All-Terrain Electric Scooter at $849.99 shipped, which matches the pricing over at Amazon. While it may carry a $1,300 MSRP from Segway, you’ll more often find it down around $1,000 instead, especially at other marketplaces like Amazon, with this same low rate having previously appeared during July and October’s Prime Day events, as well as the most recent Black Friday sale. Now, you’re getting a longer period of getting it at this all-time low price, complete with $150 off the going rate (and $450 off the MSRP). Head below to learn more about it and the other models included in the Segway’s Christmas Holiday Sale.
Segway’s ZT3 Pro electric scooter is a solid all-terrain option that can certainly go the distance, as many riders are learning while riding around on them through the streets of NYC, with the full suspension and additional 6 inches of deck clearance from the ground serving urban riders well on more pothole-lined streets. What’s more, in a city so massive and populated, having the included Apple Find My and auto-proximity locking/unlocking functionality definitely adds peace of mind should you ever be leaving it unattended for a set amount of time.
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The whole system – which includes a 1,600W brushless motor as its heart – comes powered by a 597Wh battery, providing up to 43.5 miles of commuting assistance at speeds as high as 24.9 MPH. Another nice feature is the regaining of 6.2 miles for just 30 minutes of charging, allowing you to get moving faster to tackle last-minute plans. Along with everything already mentioned, there’s also 11-inch tubeless tires, a Segride stability enhancement system, a traction control system, six inches of extra clearance from the ground, and more.
Segway’s Christmas Holiday Sale gifts ‘made to wow’
Segway’s commuting Christmas Holiday Sale gifts under $750
EcoFlow Cyber Week flash sale cuts up to 63% off expanded DELTA 2 Max bundle + batteries at new lows from $329 (ends tonight)
As part of EcoFlow’s ongoing Cyber Week Sale, the first of this new extended event’s flash sales has officially launched with up to 63% savings on three expansion battery bundles and alongside the DELTA 2 Max Portable Power Station bundled with a smart extra (expansion) battery for $1,369 shipped. This flash deal lasting through tomorrow night (Friday, December 5) beats out its Amazon pricing by $130 and its direct Cyber Week pricing by $230 (which does offer a $99 waterproof bag for FREE). While this bundle carries a $3,298 MSRP direct from the brand, you’re more likely to find it down around $2,149 at full price elsewhere, with it having kept between $1,699 and $1,499 since late September, with all the sales. Discounts have previously gone as low as $1,424, but these flash savings are cutting a larger than ever $780 off the going rate (and $1,929 off the MSRP) and landing it at a new all-time low price.
Extended Ride1Up Cyber Monday sale continues up to $600 savings on e-bikes and extra batteries from $195
Ride1Up has an ongoing Cyber Monday Sale with up to $600 savings on e-bikes and extra batteries, which doesn’t provide any end dates, but is likely following the trend we’ve seen from several other brands and continuing through the weekend. Among the bunch, one model that is getting more and more attention from riders is the Revv1 DRT Off-Road e-bike that is down at $2,295 shipped. Normally running at $2,595 without discounts, we mostly saw sales bring the cost down to $2,495 or $2,395 over 2025, with more recent events seeing returns to the $2,295 low. That low price circled back around the track for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, with it holding strong for an unknown time longer at the best price tracked, courtesy of the $300 markdown.
The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.
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