Nissan introduced its stylish new N7 electric sedan in China last week, but will it eventually be available overseas?
After unveiling the N7 at the Guangzhou Auto Show last week, Nissan said its newest EV, with its bold new design and advanced new tech, kicks off a new era in China.
The N7 is Nissan’s first dedicated electric model to ride on its Chinese joint venture partner, Dongfeng’s, new EV platform. Dongfeng’s new modular architecture offers “a stress-free driving experience, superior comfort, and a suite of intelligent technology.”
Nissan claims the N7 is poised to “redefine the new benchmark for China’s mainstream family pure electric sedans,” but will it launch overseas in markets like Europe or the US?
At 4,930 mm long, 1,895 mm wide, 1,487 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,915 mm, Nissan’s EV is slightly longer than a Tesla Model 3 (4,720 mm long, 1,848 mm wide, 1,442 mm tall, 2,875 mm wheelbase).
The electric car is the first under its new business plan, “The Arc,” introduced in March. Nissan’s new strategy is focused on slashing EV costs while speeding up development.
Nissan is preparing to accelerate its shift to EVs with a market-specific approach. In China, Nissan aims to launch eight new energy vehicles (EVs and PHEVs), including four Nissan-branded. The N7 will go on sale in the first half of 2025 as Nissan looks to challenge market leaders like BYD and Tesla.
Will Nissan launch the N7 EV overseas?
A big part of the strategy includes exporting vehicles from China. Starting in 2025, Nissan wants to rapidly accelerate exports from China into overseas markets.
The company said it aims to reach 100,000 exports but didn’t specify by when or what markets. With Nissan looking to gain an edge in major auto regions like Europe and the US, an overseas N7 arrival could be in the playbook.
However, with new tariffs on EV imports from China, Nissan would have had to drastically cut costs for the models to be competitive.
Nissan plans to make EV models more affordable by developing them in “families” using modular manufacturing, group sourcing, and advanced batteries. The company aims to cut costs on its next-gen electric models by 30% compared to its current Ariya crossover SUV.
Nissan is also adopting its “Intelligent Factory” process, which was first introduced in Japan, to more overseas plants to speed up output.
At its Sunderland, UK plant, Nissan is preparing to launch three new electric versions of its top-selling models.
The first will be the highly anticipated reboot of the iconic LEAF. According to Nissan, the new model was previewed in its 2021 Chill Out concept.
Sources that have seen the new LEAF claim its design is closer to the Aryia. One source even called it a “mini Ariya.” Electric versions of the Juke and Qashqai will follow Nissan’s next-gen LEAF.
Nissan will launch seven new vehicles in the US and Canada as it looks to gain market share. The current LEAF is still being made in Tenessee, but Nissan is preparing its Smyrna plant for its next-gen electric models.
Electrek’s Take
Although Nissan only said the N7 would go on sale in China, it didn’t rule out other overseas markets. With incoming US President-elect Trump vowing to raise tariffs on imports from “countries that have been ripping us off for years,” an N7 arrival in the States is unlikely.
In Europe, an N7 launch is more likely, but with the EU raising tariffs on Chinese EV imports, Nissan would likely struggle to compete on pricing without taking massive losses.
Nissan plans to take a regional-specific approach, introducing electric models tailored to certain markets, such as the US, Europe, China, and Japan.
Do you want to see Nissan’s new N7 in US showrooms eventually? What about in Europe? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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A new, all electric Peterbilt 579EV is in-service at Honda’s Lincoln, Alabama assembly plant, where it’s busy transporting newly-built Honda cars from the plant to a nearby railhead for shipment to dealers across the country.
Part of a pilot program between Honda, Alabama Power, and Virginia Transportation Corp., the new electric semi truck will help stakeholders gather data about the practicality and performance of the battery-powered Pete and use it to generate case studies for broader electrification initiatives. Other supporters of the pilot project include the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition and, of course, Peterbilt.
“We remain committed to delivering for our customers and the environment,” offered Leo Doire, owner and CEO of Virginia Transportation Corp. “Our new Peterbilt 579EV model will be tested to determine how well it performs against the high productivity demands of our operations. The partners we have at the table will help us maximize this opportunity and prepare to scale up if we get the results we are hoping for.”
The truck itself has been spec’ed to be perfect for the kind of short haul and drayage applications Honda has in mind. This particular Peterbilt 579EV is fitted with PACCAR’s 400 kWh battery and a 670 hp electric motor good for an impressive 2,050 lb-ft of peak torque at 0 rpm.
The truck offers 150 miles of operating range and can be charged in about 3 hours on a 120 kW charger installed specifically for that purpose. A charger, it should be noted, that was partially paid for by Alabama Power.
“Alabama Power’s ‘Make Ready’ program provides businesses with valuable rebates to help reduce the upfront costs of installing EV infrastructure,” says Alabama Power Electric Transportation Manager Hasin Gandhakwala. “We are committed to partnering with customers who are exploring state and federal grant opportunities. Alabama Power is dedicated to advancing EV technologies to better serve the needs of our customers.”
With the big Pete’s 82,000 lb. GVWR and 150 miles of range between charging sessions, it seems like these guys will be making a lot of back-and-forth runs between the Honda plant and the CSX terminal to me. Here’s hoping they see the benefits of electrifying the rest of their vehicle transport fleets somewhat sooner than later.
On today’s episode of Quick Charge, we’ve got big solar breaking ground all over, despite the incoming administration’s supposed lack of love for home-grown clean energy. Our guests today walk us through home solar, energy storage, and more.
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Tesla is now using ‘Tesla Electric’, its electric utility service in Texas, to help sell cars with a new incentive.
After gaining experience through its virtual power plants (VPPs), Tesla took things a step further with the launch of “Tesla Electric” back in 2022.
Instead of reacting to specific “events” and providing services to your local electric utilities, as Tesla Powerwall owners have done in VPPs in California, Australia, and a few other markets, Tesla Electric is actively and automatically buying and selling electricity for Tesla Powerwall owners – providing a buffer against peak prices.
The company is essentially becoming an energy retailer.
Tesla Electric is currently only available to Powerwall owners in Texas and the UK, but the company has plans to expand its products through this new division.
The company has been growing its Tesla Electric userbase in Texas and now it plans to use it to help sell cars.
Tesla has two different plans under the program:
Feature
Tesla Electric Fixed Plan
Tesla Electric Dynamic Plan
Pricing Structure
Competitive fixed rate for electricity, with a discounted rate during low-cost hours.
Competitive variable rate, with higher rates during peak demand periods.
Contract Term
12-month commitment.
Month-to-month flexibility.
Unlimited Vehicle Charging
Available for an additional $15/month per vehicle, allowing unlimited charging.
Available for an additional $25/month per vehicle, allowing unlimited charging.
Powerwall Credits
Earn $400 credit per year per Powerwall by participating in the Tesla Virtual Power Plant, with Tesla managing the Powerwall to share energy with the grid when needed.
Earn $120 credit per year per Powerwall by participating in the Tesla Virtual Power Plant, with the customer managing the Powerwall to optimize earnings.
Energy Sharing with Grid
Sell energy back to the grid at a fixed rate per kWh.
Sell energy back to the grid at 90% of the real-time market price per kWh.
The first one enable you to charge your electric car for just $15 a month.
With this new incentive, Tesla is brining that down to $5 a month for a year for people who take delivery by the end of the year:
Get $5/mo Unlimited Overnight Charging With Tesla
To get unlimited overnight charging for $5 per month per vehicle for a full year, you must complete the following steps by December 31, 2024:
Order and take delivery of a new Tesla vehicle
Sign up for the Tesla Electric Fixed Plan
To be eligible, you need to live in an area of Texas that allows you to choose your electricity provider, be a new Tesla Electric member and take delivery of a new Tesla vehicle. Promotion is subject to change at any time.
This appear to be part of Tesla’s effort to deliver a record number of more than 515,000 vehicles in Q4 in order for its annual deliveries not to be down for the full year.
ver the last few weeks, we have been reporting on a series of sale incentives that Tesla has put in place to make sure it has the demand to achieve this record quarter.