Nissan has officially unveiled its all-new Sakura mini electric vehicle (EV) in Japan. We brought you the news last year that Nissan planned to deliver a new electric mini-vehicle and today it’s official. The new mini-vehicle is named after the iconic Japanese cherry blossom.
The Sakura comes equipped with advanced control technology and a motor producing 47kW and delivers 195Nm of torque. It offers a range of up to 112 miles (180km) from its 20kWh battery making it ideal for daily use and short journeys. The battery can also be used as a mobile power source during emergencies and provide a day’s worth of electricity to a home.
Thanks to the special stacking method of its cells, the battery is compact, allowing the five-door Sakura to make the most of its interior space. It’s a practical mini electric car with a low centre of gravity that enhances stability and offers superior ride comfort even on uneven road surfaces.
Asako Hoshino, Nissan Executive Vice President, said: “The all-new Sakura follows the LEAF and Ariya as a mass-market EV. We believe it will be a game changer for the Japanese market and will make EVs much more accessible to customers in Japan.”
The Sakura, which is scheduled to go on sale in Japan this summer is priced starting at approximately 1.78 million yen (£11,148/€13.142/$13,909). We think it’s great that the big carmakers are now offering more affordable electric vehicles.
We look forward to when this model, and other mini models including the Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV, Great Wall’s Black Cat and SAIC Motors Baojun E, are available in the UK, Europe and the USA. These mini vehicles could have a huge effect on helping the transition to electric cars because of their low price tags.
Nissan will offer online purchasing options such as video chats and a dedicated website. This will enable customers to choose from conventional face-to-face services to full online orders from the comfort of their homes.
