Cumulative production of Nissan vehicles with e-POWER technology has passed 1.5 million units globally since the technology was introduced 8 years ago, initially in the Japanese market. Today, it is offered in various Nissan models in 68 countries and this will very soon include Malaysia.
Different approach to electrification
The e-POWER system takes a different approach to using electrification for propulsion. Although the powertrain has both an electric motor and petrol engine, only the electric motor powers the wheels. This is a key difference from other hybrid systems where the engine works with the motor to power the wheels.
Of course, the motor still needs electricity to run and this comes from a lithium-ion battery pack. There is no need to recharge the battery pack as it will be regularly replenished when necessary while running (through regenerative braking) as well as from the small and efficient engine.
Should greater demand for power be required (eg running at higher speeds), the engine will provide extra charging to the inverter which is connected to the motor. Thus it is the motor that is providing power at all times which makes it operate like a fully electric vehicle, ie smooth and quiet.
Available in many regions
Nissan launched e-POWER first in Japan in 2016 with the Note e-POWER. Over the years, the electrified powertrain has also been used for the Kicks, X-Trail, Serena MPV, Sylphy (in China) and Qashqai (Europe).
With kaizen (constant improvement) being a practice of Japanese manufacturers, the system has also been improved. Integration of the inverter has made it more compact and reduced weight by 30%. The battery pack also has increased capacity of 2.06 kWh with 20% more cells added.
Practical solution
While Nissan will continue to develop fully electric vehicles – which it was a pioneer of in 2010 with the world’s first mass-produced EV – the availability of e-POWER will offer a practical solution in markets where conditions do not yet support fully electric vehicles. Limited availability of charging stations is a discouraging factor and with an e-POWER vehicle not having the need to recharge the battery pack will make the switch to an electrified vehicle more acceptable to motorists.
Malaysians can look forward to e-POWER being available as Edaran Tan Chong Motor will be launching a new model with the technology before this year ends.