Nissan’s concept comes as competitors rush into the full-electric pickup segment, especially in the U.S. market where pickup trucks remain a top pick, with about 18 percent of the U.S. market.
In Europe, pickup demand has declined. In 2020, sales accounted for just 6.8 percent of the LCV segment on sales of 116,280, down from 7.9 percent in 2017, according to data from JATO Dynamics.
Nissan has long struggled to claim a bigger slice of the key pickup market. Its Titan full-size pickup sits at the bottom or its segment, while the Frontier hovers mid-pack in the midsize group.
Ford, the pickup king with its best-selling F-Series, is developing a battery-powered version called the F-150 Lightning. Chevrolet plans an electric Silverado in 2023, Tesla has its Cybertruck and startup Rivian is in the race with the R1T. There is also the GMC Hummer EV.
Nissan’s Surf-Out envisions using an advanced system of the company’s e-4ORCE all-wheel drive electric drivetrain, which will make its debut in the upcoming Nissan Ariya EV crossover.
“The vehicle’s variety of power outputs, and low and flat cargo space are aimed to help you go wherever you want and amplify your experience when you get there,” Nissan said.
But it appears Nissan is waiting for the solid state battery breakthrough before it ventures into pickups, and that will only come at the very end of the decade.
