Nissan Qashqai has been the brand’s absolute sales champion in Europe for years, so the announcement of a fully electric version in 2023 did not surprise anyone. In fact, it was greeted with great anticipation as a logical step in the evolution of the most popular urban crossover. However, it seems that plans have changed drastically. Like several other long-announced electric models from various manufacturers, the electric Qashqai was quietly and without much fanfare pushed aside, and its development put on hold.
According to reports citing multiple sources within the company, Nissan has stopped development of the electric Qashqai as early as 2025. While the project may not be completely dead, it appears to have fallen victim to the massive global restructuring the Japanese manufacturer is currently undergoing. If the project were ever to be restarted, two independent sources claim that a model launch could not be expected before the early 2030s.
Nissan declined to comment directly on the vehicle’s status, but confirmed in a statement that it remains committed to expanding its electrified offerings. However, they stressed that Europe has experienced “significant volatility” in demand for electric vehicles, which is why they are now pursuing a “balanced” electrification strategy. This suggests that the reason for the delay may not be solely financial, but also caution due to slowing growth in demand for all-electric models.
It’s not that simple
The decision to stop development of the electric Qashqai is not an isolated case, but part of a much wider and more painful story. Nissan’s recovery plan, called “Mobility Intelligence for Everyday Life,” foresees significant cost reductions and business optimization. This includes shutting down as many as 11 less profitable models to reallocate resources to areas with higher growth potential. The company faced heavy losses, which led to the closure of seven factories and the layoff of around 20,000 workers worldwide.
Particularly affected was the plant in Sunderland, UK, a key location for European production, where the electric Qashqai was supposed to roll off the production lines. Due to weakening demand, one of the two main production lines in Sunderland has already been shut down. In order to fill the unused capacity, Nissan even signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chinese manufacturer Chery about the possible service production of their vehicles at that plant. Despite everything, Sunderland’s future is not entirely bleak. The production of the new, all-electric Juke model, which is presented as a key European model, should start soon, and the new generation of the electric Leaf is already coming down the road.
Although the news of the delay of the electric Qashqai is disappointing, Nissan is not giving up on electrification. Instead of going all-electric, it seems that in the near future it will rely more on its hybrid e-Power technology as a transitional solution that offers customers the feeling of driving an electric car without the need to charge.