Nissan will use the Nevo Electric Vehicle Show at Dublin’s RDS on Friday, November 7th, and Saturday, the 8th, to put two of its most recognisable nameplates back in the spotlight with the unveiling of the new Micra and Leaf.
Together, these models bookend Nissan’s electric strategy for Irish drivers, delivering an attainable, compact urban electric vehicle (EV) in the Micra and a next-generation family EV in the Leaf. Both are arriving just as consumer interest and infrastructure are aligning to support mainstream adoption.
The new Micra marks a clean break from the past, arriving as a fully electric supermini that shares its compact-EV underpinnings with the Renault 5.
Expect two battery options (around 40 kWh and 52 kWh) aimed squarely at urban Irish buyers looking for accessible range and sensible running costs, wrapped in a friendlier, more expressive design than the outgoing petrol model.
RM Block
It’s a significant pivot for a badge that already resonates with Irish motorists. The previous generation Micra was voted Irish Small Car of the Year for 2018 and garnered a reputation for low-stress ownership, city-friendly proportions and easy running costs.
The shift to a pure-EV Micra brings that familiar ease into the electric era, with expected improvements in in-car technology, over-the-air updates and a stronger suite of active safety features that suit Irish roads and parking realities.
If the Micra is about reintroducing Irish drivers to small, city-friendly electric motoring, the next-generation Leaf is about reclaiming leadership in the mainstream EV space.
The third-generation model, unveiled in mid-2025, transitions to a newer platform, incorporates liquid-cooled batteries for enhanced performance and longevity, and promises significant range improvements over the current car.
Irish availability points to orders opening in autumn with first deliveries in early 2026, giving Nissan a clear runway to build interest through the winter and into the 261 plate season.
As ever, pricing and final Irish specifications will be key, but the strategic intent is clear: make Leaf once again the default, great-value EV choice for families and fleets, with the kind of cabin space, charging performance and driver-assistance technology that make the day-to-day experience genuinely better than a comparable petrol or diesel.
Both cars tap into substantial brand equity in Ireland. The Micra has decades of name recognition and a reputation for reliability and ease of ownership. At the same time, the Leaf was many Irish drivers’ first taste of electric motoring and continues to show up strongly in monthly snapshots.
In October 2024, for example, the Leaf topped Ireland’s electric car charts, and it was still among the five most-registered new EV models in January 2025, a reminder that, despite newer rivals, familiarity and value are still vital to Irish buyers.
Those credentials matter as private owners weigh the cost of charging access and total cost of ownership, and as business users and taxi operators seek dependable, electrified options. The new Leaf’s move to liquid-cooled packs is particularly notable for high-mileage users who need consistent, rapid-charging performance and robust thermal management across winter and summer conditions.
The Nevo EV Show provides Nissan with the ideal platform to showcase to Irish audiences how these two EVs complement each other. Across the two days, visitors will see static displays, live walk-arounds and Q&A sessions led by electric vehicle experts, with plenty of opportunities to go hands-on inside the cars.
For many attendees, this will be the first chance to compare cabin design, infotainment and perceived quality against rivals under the same roof. Nissan’s product team will also highlight charging flexibility, from home wallbox compatibility to public network solutions, and discuss typical ownership costs, including service intervals, tyre wear and brake upkeep. In these areas, EVs often deliver savings over time.
Of course, the competition is now fierce in Ireland with more models coming on stream. The Volkswagen ID.4, Hyundai Kona and MG4 have all found favour with Irish buyers across different price points, and the Micra will meet a wave of new compact EVs in 2026.
Success for Nissan will hinge on clear, transparent pricing, strong finance offers and a specification strategy that keeps the sweet-spot trims in stock. The brand’s nationwide dealer network is a key lever here, ensuring consistent test-drive availability, straightforward trade-in processes and reliable aftersales support.
For fleets, total cost of ownership modelling, guaranteed residuals and smart telematics integrations will be just as important as the headline price.
At the Nevo EV Show, context also matters. Backed by Bank of Ireland as title partner and supported by a strong line-up of energy and infrastructure brands, the event brings the entire EV ecosystem together in one place, featuring cars, charging, solar, and smart-home technology.
That means Micra and Leaf won’t be viewed in isolation: visitors can stand at the car, walk to a home-charging stand for an installation quote, then speak with an energy partner about tariffs or solar pairing, precisely the joined-up decision journey that is accelerating Irish adoption.
Nissan will capitalise on this opportunity, providing clear guidance on home charging options, typical installation timelines, and how to plan for public charging on common interurban routes.
Expect a full programme at the RDS Simmonscourt across both days. On Friday’s Business Day, Nissan will engage directly with fleet managers, SMEs, and public-sector buyers, using the new Leaf as a template for a high-volume EV and the Micra as a cost-effective urban pool or sales-rep car.
Saturday’s public day will dial up the hands-on experience with walk-around presentations of both models, in-car tech demos and an open forum for questions on everything from grants and finance to real-world range expectations and tyre choice.
With competitors watching closely, Nissan’s goal is to make a confident, data-backed case for both models and then let the cars do the convincing in person.
Ultimately, this is a pivotal moment for Nissan in Ireland. By unveiling the Micra as a modern, compact full-EV and showcasing the more capable, longer-range Leaf, the brand wants market share back with these two different but complementary propositions.
If Nissan gets the key ingredients right - pricing, range credibility, charging performance, and dealer support - the Micra and Leaf can convert nostalgia and name recognition into 261 plate registrations and give the brand meaningful momentum into 2026.
For Irish drivers considering their first EV or planning an upgrade, the message at the RDS is simple: the next chapter of Nissan’s electric future is here, and it’s built for the way we actually live, drive, and charge.
- Admission to the Nevo EV Show is free, but registration is required. Tickets for Business Day (Friday, November 7th) and public day (Saturday, November 8th) are available now at nevo.ie
