Following the cancellation of the Nissan Navara in Europe and the closure of its factory in Barcelona, the extinct Spanish brand Ebro has been revived and taken over the remains of the facility to produce a Navara-based pure-electric pickup truck.
Ebro was a successful maker of industrial and agricultural vehicles founded in 1954. Following the nationalisation of Ford factories in Spain, Ebro concentrated on producing buses, trucks, vans, tractors and agricultural machinery until its activity ceased in 1987.
With the closure of the Nissan plant at the end of 2020, the local government formed a plan to revive the sector. With support and incentives, Ebro was reformed, with input from Jatón Racing, Api Brothers, BTech and Nexus Projects. The project will employ 150 staff directly, with a further 1,200 contractors.
Ebro acquired the rights to use the equipment and technologies from the factory, including the Navara chassis and bodyshell, along with the electric components from the next-generation NV200 electric van. Combining the two products, Ebro intends to create an electric Navara clone.
Sharing the same dimensions as the Navara, Ebro expects to offer the new model in rear or four-wheel drive, with single or twin electric motors. At its peak, the twin motor model will produce 300hp, powered by a 100kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Initial estimates suggest it will be good for up to 275 miles of range.
Crucially for the UK market, Ebro says the pickup will be able to carry a one-tonne payload. However, the company has yet to confirm if right-hand drive models form part of its plan.
The Spanish automaker
intends to start production of the electric pickup truck in 2024, building 50,000 models each year. First deliveries are planned for the end of the year.
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