Nissan halts development of electric Qashqai

Nissan has stopped work on the electric version of its most popular model in Europe, the Qashqai, as the Japanese automaker reduces its model lineup and cuts costs, according to six sources familiar with the matter, Reuters reports, writes UNN.

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The step to quietly halt development of the fully electric Qashqai comes as traditional competitors and new Chinese market entrants flood Europe with affordable alternatives.

Although postponing the project will save money, Nissan may not bring the car to market until the beginning of the next decade if it reconsiders its position, which will likely leave it behind competitors in a key market segment.

In 2023, Nissan committed to creating an electric version of its Qashqai SUV at Sunderland, Britain's largest car plant, a plan that was approved by the UK government at the time as cementing its position as a global hub for electric vehicle production. At that time, the company did not specify the timeline for the release of the electric version.

However, since then, the automaker has begun a major global restructuring and is currently in talks with London to secure financial support for an updated roadmap for the plant, which is expected in the coming months, as Reuters exclusively reported last week.

This announcement is expected to clarify its fresh plans for the electric Qashqai, the development of which was halted early last year, according to sources.

The plant already produces the electric compact Leaf, and in April the company introduced the electric crossover Juke, which will be manufactured there.

Even if Nissan restarts the Qashqai EV project, it will not hit the market until the early 2030s, two sources said.

In its statement, Nissan did not disclose its plans for a fully electric Qashqai, but said it remains committed to expanding its "electrified" lineup, which includes hybrid models.

The company added that the European market has experienced "significant volatility" in demand for electric vehicles and that it adheres to a "balanced" electrification strategy.

Nissan already sells the Qashqai as a petrol and hybrid car, and this model accounted for about 45% of the company's total sales of 330,000 vehicles in Europe in 2025, according to sales data analyzed by Reuters.

Behind the decision to postpone production of the electric Qashqai is a broader reassessment of the automaker's model lineup.

Earlier this year, Nissan confirmed it would scrap plans to produce two electric crossovers at its plant in Canton, Mississippi, in the US, and instead focus on hybrid models. Globally, the company said it would reduce its number of models from 56 to 45.

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