Renault and Nissan scrap small electric car plans for India, focusing on a Creta-sized electric SUV instead.
Renault and Nissan are switching gears on their electric car plans for India. Originally, they planned a small, affordable electric car. Instead, they’re now developing a larger electric SUV, similar in size to the Hyundai Creta.
This new SUV will use a modified version of their existing platform designed for electric vehicles. It’s important to note that their upcoming gasoline-powered Renault Duster SUV (and a similar Nissan model) will still use the original CMF-B platform. Forget the small electric car, Renault and Nissan are setting their sights higher in India.
Their new electric vehicle will be a C-segment SUV, bigger than 4 meters long, similar in size to competitors like the Maruti Suzuki eVX and Hyundai Creta EV. This shift comes after they decided their original budget-friendly electric car wasn’t feasible.
To keep the price competitive, Renault-Nissan is looking to partner with Indian battery companies. We can expect the starting price to be around Rs 15 lakh. Renault and Nissan are aiming for a competitive price range of Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh for their new electric SUV.
To achieve this, they’re putting a lot of focus on using locally-made parts and working with their Indian research and development center. The SUV is expected to use a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery, which might offer a driving range of around 300 kilometers on a single charge.
Renault and Nissan are considering using the same platform (CMF-B EV) for their electric SUVs that they’re already planning for their gasoline-powered midsize SUVs. Development of this electric vehicle platform has been underway globally, although there have been some setbacks.
We expect these electric SUVs to be launched on the CMF-B EV platform sometime in 2026-2027.
This new electric SUV from Renault and Nissan won’t be exclusive to India – it’s designed to be sold globally. To make the project profitable, they’re aiming for at least 70% of the car’s parts to be built in India, and they plan to export a significant number of vehicles.
Also read : BMW X3: Sneak peek before the big reveal!
Even though electric vehicle sales are low in India, building this electric car is strategically important. It will help Renault and Nissan comply with upcoming fuel efficiency regulations (CAFÉ) and avoid penalties. The companies haven’t officially confirmed these plans, though.
