Nissan's Paris-bound EV concept could fill out CUV niche

The types of pure electric vehicles available on the market are quite limited. For now, we've got compact and midsize cars and high performance sports cars. More are coming, but that's it today unless you want to get a conversion. What if you were looking for an official, electric SUV or a crossover utility vehicle (CUV) to transport your family, groceries, and camping gear?

Nissan is getting ready to fill that niche and will be unveiling an all-electric compact SUV concept at this year's Paris Motor Show in late September. Details are limited, but we hear that this unnamed EV, possibly an X-Trail replacement, could be an evolution of the Hi-Cross hybrid concept that was displayed at the Geneva Motor Show this year (pictured). As for power, it might use the powerful 80-kilowatt motor found in the Nissan Leaf. Beyond that, who knows.

There will be competition in this new EV segment. Toyota recently unveiled the 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV, a CUV destined for limited production later this year. Tesla will also bring out a crossover compact luxury CUV, the Model X, in late 2013. Mitsubishi plans to roll out its second electrified vehicle in the near future – a plug-in hybrid SUV. Looks like any complaints about the lack of electric SUVs/CUVs on dealer lots will only hold water for a short while.