Guide to Nissan EVs

The first Nissan – known then as a Datsun – was produced in 1914. The name Nissan itself didn’t truly debut until 1933, when founder Yoshisuke Aikawa listed the Nihon Sangyo Company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange under the ticker name NISSAN.

Since then, Nissan has produced some of the greatest Japanese vehicles of all time – the Fairlady Z, the GT-R and of course… the humble Nissan Micra.

Nissan have always been an innovator in the race for electrification, starting with the Tama Electric Car in 1947 (!) all the way to the industry-shifting Nissan Leaf and beyond. Their new EV range continues to innovate consumer electric transport and how EVs fit into our everyday lives.

With the larger Ariya and the more compact, city-suited Micra, there is certainly a Nissan EV to suit your needs, and you can find it here at Vertu.

Nissan Micra

Whether you’ve owned a Nissan Micra or not, you must admit it’s hard to hate them. With over 40 years of heritage in the UK, they are a mainstay of British roads, and this brand-new electric Micra aims to keep that up. 

The new Nissan Micra shares a platform, batteries and motors with the Renault 5 - winner of numerous prestigious awards - which provides the Micra with a tried and trusted base to work with.

Cute, quirky and compact, the exterior has nods to the beloved Micras of the past, most notably the elliptical headlights, evoking the popular, bug-eyed third-generation K12.

The interior is smart, modern and plush for a car at its price point, but retains surprising practicality for its compact size, including a boot space of up to 326L, expanding to 1,106L with the seats folded. 

Accurate steering, controlled handling and smooth braking make the Micra a quiet, comfortable and efficient drive, one with up to 257 miles of range (WLTP) on the Advance and Evolve trims.

Below the slick infotainment screen, there are handy buttons that allow you to change the air-con temperature and fan speed, a welcome addition when many EVs opt for touchscreen-only systems.

Nissan Leaf

The original Nissan Leaf was the world’s first mass-produced, affordable, battery-powered electric vehicle, and its release pioneered the race for electrification.

With numerous improvements since the original model, the 2026 Leaf is built on over 17 billion miles of real-world electric driving, using all that Nissan has learned to create a confident, practical and aerodynamic electric car.

Taking on a more crossover-like fastback body, it sheds the slightly blobby reputation of its predecessors - swapping out curves for sharper, more dynamic lines and a streamlined silhouette.

Inside the cabin is a clean, clutter-free design, including a dimming panoramic roof, a BOSE premium sound system and twin 14.3-inch infotainment screens, carrying the Leaf firmly into the future.

Nissan Ariya

With its striking lines and aerodynamic curves, the Nissan Ariya exemplifies Nissan’s timeless yet futuristic approach to design – while the current version is still a sharp, seamless vehicle, the 2026 update evolves Nissan’s Japanese futurism philosophy, with a body-coloured front panel, reinterpreted motion signature and an even cleaner look.

The Ariya is a spacious, premium car, with enough room in the lounge-like interior for both front and rear passengers to stretch out and rest their feet on the comfortable flat floor.

For families with children, the Ariya’s wide opening doors and ample space make accessing the ISOFIX points and child seats a breeze, and with a 466-litre boot, there is plenty of room to fit a pushchair.

With the 2026 update, the Ariya’s infotainment system will come with Google built-in, giving the driver access to a smart route planner, integrating any necessary charging stops based on your real-time battery level, and pre-conditioning the battery for optimal charge time when you arrive.

Other updates with the newest version include Advanced EV charging capability, including an 11-kW bi-directional charger to support vehicle-to-load functionality, as well as enhanced ride comfort, updated suspension tuning and advanced driver support technologies.

_{These figures are for the 2025 Ariya, as technical information on the 2026 update is not available yet.}