Since 2005, Nissan has been focused on transitioning towards a more sustainable future. The company’s strategy involves a gradual adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), including battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and vehicles powered by alternative energy sources like hydrogen fuel cells, e-bio fuel cells, and internal combustion engines (ICE) with electric power generation systems. This strategic shift aligns with Nissan’s long-term goal of achieving carbon neutrality.
Nissan played a pioneering role in the EV market, launching the world’s first mass-produced BEV, the Leaf, in 2010. With the knowledge, the company subsequently introduced its e-Power hybrid technology, offering electric motor-driven models with great fuel efficiency and EV-like driving characteristics. The Nissan Note e-Power, launched in 2016, demonstrated the technology’s success, becoming the best-selling model in the Japanese domestic market at one point.
So what exactly is so unique about the e-Power hybrid system? Unlike traditional parallel hybrids, e-Power vehicles are exclusively driven by an electric motor. The ICE functions as a generator, charging the onboard lithium-ion battery pack. This configuration provides a pure electric driving experience without the need for external charging.
Nissan engineers leveraged key technologies from the Leaf EV, including the inverter and advanced control systems, to develop the e-Power system. This innovative powertrain delivers the signature electric driving experience, characterized by instant torque, and a smooth, quiet operation.
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The e-Power hybrid system offers a refined driving experience by minimizing noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH). Unlike conventional hybrids, the e-Power’s engine operates efficiently at a fixed speed, reducing noise intrusion. The engine activation is strategically timed to coincide with higher ambient noise levels, such as highway cruising, further enhancing acoustic comfort.
The engine can also provide direct power to the electric motor while simultaneously charging the battery, ensuring optimal performance. This approach, exclusive to e-Power, eliminates the need for larger, heavier battery packs, resulting in improved vehicle efficiency and packaging.
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The system utilizes a compact lithium-ion battery, designed specifically for EV applications. This battery technology contributes to the equivalent weight of e-Power models compared to their internal combustion engine counterparts, while also optimising weight distribution. The absence of a traditional transmission in e-Power vehicles further reduces weight and long-term maintenance costs.
Without the need for charging, Nissan also says that the e-Power hybrid technology essentially eliminates the concerns related to range anxiety and the inconveniences of EV ownership, such as lengthy charging times, limited charging infrastructure, and unreliable charging stations.
