AUTO

Mitsubishi’s First Battery Electric Vehicle Based on Nissan Leaf Launches in 2026

May 7, 2025

Mitsubishi’s all-new battery electric vehicle lands in North America summer 2026.
It’ll be based on the next-generation Nissan Leaf crossover.
Part of Mitsubishi’s Momentum 2030 plan to release a new or refreshed vehicle every year through 2030.

So here’s something you probably didn’t see coming. Mitsubishi is finally getting serious about electric cars. No, really. The company known for its Outlander and rally nostalgia just confirmed it will finally deliver a battery electric vehicle in North America by summer 2026. And it’s not doing it alone. It’s teaming up with Nissan, and the new ride will be based on the next-generation Nissan Leaf.

Let’s pause. Mitsubishi. Making a fully electric car. For the U.S. and Canada. In two years. Based on a Leaf. Let that sink in.

Image showcasing 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV at Electrify Expo — _{Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV on display at Electrify Expo.}

This isn’t some whisper of a maybe-someday project either. Mitsubishi’s North American boss, CEO Mark Chaffin, laid it all out, “When we launched the Momentum 2030 long-term business plan to our dealer partners last May, there was a buzz in the room about an exciting future, but there was a desire for more concrete timing and plans.” Well, here it is. Concrete. Official. And public.

According to the company, this Mitsubishi battery electric vehicle will land as part of its Momentum 2030 roadmap, a plan that commits to dropping either a completely new or significantly revised vehicle every single year between 2026 and 2030. That includes not just EVs, but hybrids and gas-powered models too. Mitsubishi’s trying to regain attention in a market that has largely moved ahead without its presence.

Mitsubishi needs this vehicle. While their sales have shown some growth, it has been gradual, and very few of their recent models have captured widespread attention in North America. Try to recall the last time a Mitsubishi vehicle truly made an impact. It’s not easy. That’s why working with Nissan could be one of the smartest decisions they’ve made in a long time. By using Nissan’s electric vehicle platform, Mitsubishi can focus on applying its own design and branding without having to build an entirely new battery electric vehicle from the ground up.

The next-gen Nissan Leaf will no longer be the small, rounded compact car many people remember from the early 2010s. Nissan is preparing a full redesign of the Leaf this year, turning it into a crossover-style electric vehicle that is expected to be more spacious, more SUV-like, and better aligned with American preferences.

So what can you expect from Mitsubishi’s version? Details are scarce for now. The company says “naming, imagery, technical specifications, pricing and on-sale timing will be the subject of future announcements.” But here’s what we know: this vehicle is coming, it’ll share its bones with the new Leaf, and you’ll be able to find it at Mitsubishi dealers across the U.S. and Canada, and possibly demo it at events like Electrify Expo.

2026 Nissan Leaf Teaser, part of Nissan's Momentum 2030 — _{A bright blue 2026 Nissan electric SUV teaser, a redesigned Leaf with futuristic styling.}

And let’s not ignore the bigger picture. Every automaker is throwing chips on the EV table right now. Toyota’s finally selling its bZ4X in more states with attractive lease and finance offers. Ford’s doubling down on its Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning, despite some recent production slowdowns. Hyundai and Kia continue to crush it with the Ioniq 5 and EV6. And Tesla is still out here doing Tesla things, love them or hate them.

So Mitsubishi arriving this late to the party feels… risky. But not hopeless. Especially since they’re not going it alone.

According to Chaffin, “Momentum 2030 is more than a business plan, it is a rallying cry for our company, for our employees, for our dealer partners, and for our loyal and new customers. Our plan is clear, our path is mapped out.”

The statement may sound like typical corporate language, but the intention behind it is clear. Mitsubishi understands it has fallen behind competitors, and now the company is finally taking real action to change that.

What makes this even more interesting is the flexibility they’re offering customers. Mitsubishi won’t just be EV-only. They’ll sell gas, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and BEVs side-by-side. “Our customers have the choice of technology that best suits their needs,” Chaffin added.

Smart. Because while EV adoption is growing, not everyone is ready to ditch their gas vehicle. Offering options? That’s how you survive the next decade in this business.

Photo of a man looking at the engine of a Mitsubishi Outlander at Electrify Expo in New York

Let’s take a moment to focus on practicality. This vehicle likely will not arrive until the second half of 2026, and by then, the electric vehicle market will have even more competition, including more made in the USA. That means Mitsubishi needs to deliver something truly worthwhile. Consumers will expect at least 250 miles of driving range, fast-charging capability, pricing that feels reasonable, and technology that feels current, not outdated or clunky like something from a decade ago.

So what should you do now? Keep an eye on this one. If you’re in the market for an electric vehicle, but don’t want to fork over Tesla money or jump into a brand-new startup’s first attempt, this might be your sweet spot. Established brand, known dealer network, shared technology with Nissan (which, let’s be fair, has more EV experience than most legacy automakers).

And hey, if Mitsubishi gets this right, it could finally shake off that “forgotten brand” vibe and give Americans something genuinely exciting to look forward to.