Nissan presents its electric microcar as the Pixo. It is closely related to the Renault Twingo Electric and the new Dacia Spring. All three electric vehicles will roll off the production line at the Renault plant in Novo Mesto, Slovenia. Nissan is scheduled to start deliveries of the Pixo in early 2027. Pricing remains a mystery for now.
Nissan has unveiled its electric city car, naming it Pixo, after earlier considering calling it Wave. The model marks the brand’s return to the European A-segment and shares its technical underpinnings with other electric vehicles based on Renault’s RG-EV platform.
As such, the specifications come as no surprise: Nissan’s partner Renault has equipped the Pixo with its well-documented electric small-car powertrain, introduced earlier this year. Notably, the Nissan derivative matches the Renault Twingo Electric’s equipment level, while the new Dacia Spring, with optional DC charging, is clearly positioned below its two sister models.
Clear strategy
The Alliance partners’ strategy is clear: Dacia targets price-sensitive customers with stripped-down equipment, Renault capitalizes on nostalgia with the Twingo E-Tech Electric, and Nissan brings an entry-level electric car to market without the dull budget-model attitude.
The Japanese manufacturer designed the Nissan Pixo alone. However, even this, with its flat, rising windscreen, is reminiscent of the E-Twingo once you know of their kinship. That said, Nissan has at least attempted to differentiate the two with features such as pixel-inspired lighting.
Nissan previously used the Pixo name from 2009 to 2013 for a combustion-powered microcar based on the Suzuki Alto, built in India. Notably, the Pixo stands out within Nissan’s lineup as the first electric vehicle to feature an LFP battery. Nissan also offers a new electric Micra, the twin brother of the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric.
Closely related, still a little bit different
The key specs of the electric microcar: the Pixo is front-wheel-drive and uses the familiar combination of a 60 kW electric motor and a 27.5 kWh LFP battery. Nissan states a range of up to 259 km, placing it between the Dacia Spring (up to 250 km) and the E-Twingo (up to 263 km).
The Pixo comes with standard DC fast charging at 50 kW and an 11 kW AC onboard charger that also supports bidirectional charging. Nissan specifies a DC charging time of 28 minutes to charge from 15% to 80%, which makes it around 30 minutes for the more usual 10 to 80% range measuring.
In terms of dimensions, Nissan’s new A-segment electric car measures 3,796 x 1,790 x 1,512 mm with a wheelbase of 2,492 mm. The only noticeable difference from the E-Twingo is its width: the Nissan derivative is seven centimeters wider than its French counterpart and also 2 cm higher. Nissan itself emphasizes that “clever packaging maximizes interior space, comfortably accommodating up to four adults.”
As with the electric Twingo, individually adjustable rear seats are said to increase flexibility and, when needed, provide additional storage space for larger items (a feature not available in the Dacia Spring). The Pixo offers up to 356 liters of boot capacity, including a 50-liter compartment for charging cables.
Youthful, but not as bold or nostalgic
Nissan’s claim is to offer “a small all-electric city car that combines practical yet distinctive design with intuitive cutting-edge technology.” The Pixo is said to embody “a fresh, distinctive character to Nissan’s growing electric vehicle range.”
Highlights of the Pixo include pixel-inspired lighting, a uniquely shaped front end with a voluminous grille, the Twingo-typical flat, rising windscreen, and a steeply sloping rear. The color palette, with options such as Midnight Purple and Authentic Blue, is intended to appeal to a younger audience but is not as bold as Renault’s, and the Twingo has, of course, its nostalgic allusions.
For connected technology, Nissan relies on a Google ecosystem. The Pixo comes with Gemini, an AI assistant. At launch, Gemini will be available in 16 languages and support navigation, entertainment, and communication via natural voice interaction.
Google services for navigation, real-time route planning, and seamless connectivity are also on board. All services are controlled across all trim levels via a 7-inch driver display and a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen. Driver assistance systems include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and hands-free parking as standard. One-pedal technology is also available.
Made for and in Europe
Nissan emphasizes that the Pixo was “developed specifically for European customers” and will be produced at Renault’s Novo Mesto plant in Slovenia, just like the electric Twingo and Dacia Spring.
The first deliveries are scheduled for early 2027. Prices, market-specific equipment, and pre-order information will be announced “from December onwards”. However, the price is unlikely to be far from that of its French sister model, which starts at €19,990.
“We believe the future of electric mobility isn’t about building bigger vehicles with more technology; it’s about building smarter vehicles that fit naturally into people’s lives,” commented Clíodhna Lyons, Vice President Product, responsible for brand and marketing strategy at Nissan AMIEO.
“Pixo has been designed specifically for Europe and specifically for our cities, delivering everything customers need from an EV, without unnecessary complexity,” Lyons added.
She also highlighted Nissan’s broad electrification approach: “As fuel costs continue to rise, our focus remains simple: giving customers practical alternatives that help reduce the cost of every journey. Whether through our rapidly expanding EV line-up or our highly efficient e‑Power Hybrid technology, Nissan is delivering electrified solutions that lower running costs without compromising convenience,” she concluded.
