Nissan might be planning a rugged new addition to its electric lineup, based on a recent trademark filing that hints at an adventure-focused EV.
The Japanese automaker filed for the “e-Trail” nameplate with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on January 15, as first reported by CarMoses. The name aligns with Nissan’s electrified branding strategy — it follows e-Power (their series hybrid system) and e-4ORCE (the dual-motor setup found in the Ariya electric SUV).
Trademark filings don’t always lead to production vehicles.
The timing is interesting, though. Nissan’s been promising to bring its e-Power technology to the U.S. for years — the system’s been available in other markets since 2016. Last year, there was talk about using e-Power in trucks, but Ponz Pandikuthira, Nissan North America’s Senior Vice President and Chief Planning Officer, told Green Car Reports that crossovers like the Rogue and Kicks would be better candidates.
The automaker’s already working on several electrified versions of the Rogue crossover. They’re planning a next-generation Rogue e-Power, though it’s likely a few years away. There’s also a plug-in hybrid variant in development, which will borrow technology from Mitsubishi’s Outlander PHEV — a natural fit since both vehicles share the same platform.
The e-Trail name could signal something entirely different — perhaps an off-road focused version of the Ariya electric SUV. Current Ariya e-4ORCE models prioritize on-road performance, leaving room for a more adventure-ready variant.
These plans aren’t set in stone, however. Nissan’s proposed merger with Honda could reshape their product strategy, and they’ve already pushed back the launch timeline for some U.S.-market EVs.
