The Nissan Micra is making a comeback: Little hatchback to be reborn as electric car to rival the Volkswagen ID.2, MG4 and BYD Dolphin.

The pint-sized Nissan Micra is being reborn as an electric car.

UK publication AutoExpress has reported Nissan’s new mini electric car is likely to wear the Micra nameplate.

The Japanese brand is about to go on an electric car offensive and the little EV is due to be officially unveiled late this year.

It is believed the new 'Micra' will share its underpinnings with the recently revealed Renault 5 and compete with Volkswagen's coming ID.2 and the little BYD Dolphin.

Both cars will be built on the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance’s 'AmpR Small' electric car platform.

Details of Nissan’s future EV are scarce but the Renault 5’s measurements are 3920mm long, 1770mm wide and 1500mm tall with a 2540mm wheelbase. This is shorter and wider than a Mazda2 hatchback.

The Renault 5 is powered by a single electric motor that, depending on the grade, can send either 70, 90 or 110kW to the front wheels.

It features a 52kWh battery that can accept either 80 or 100kW of juice via a DC fast charger and 11kW when hooked up to a AC home wallbox charger.

Renault claims the 5 has a driving range of up to 400km and it’s likely the Micra would be similar.

The 5, and presumably the Micra, is capable of bi-directional charging like the current Nissan Leaf electric car.

This means users can power household appliances, as well as their home and send energy back to the grid from the car’s battery.

Despite its diminutive size the 5 has a 326-litre boot and has a funky interior with carpet-like upholstery and a big 10.1-inch multimedia screen.

The 5 would be priced about €25,000 ($41,400) and it's likely the Micra would be in the same ballpark, if not cheaper.

Renault Australia boss Glen Sealey previously told CarsGuide the company would love to add it to the local range if it became available.

“We would love to have that car here. It’s still in business case, but it’s yet to get into production. Once it’s in production it becomes an earnest discussion for us,” he said.

The 5 will use a high level of sustainable and recycled materials and Renault claims 85 per cent of the vehicle will be recyclable.

Renault has made similar claims about its Megane E-tech electric car that launched in Australia earlier this year.