Nissan’s e-POWER technology, which combines an electric motor and a petrol engine, has reached a milestone of 100,000 sales in Europe since its debut in September 2022. The innovative powertrain, available on the Nissan Qashqai and Nissan X-Trail models, offers a smooth and quiet driving experience similar to a full electric vehicle while eliminating the need for charging.
What is e-POWER and how does it work?
e-POWER is a unique and innovative technology that Nissan developed to bridge the gap between conventional hybrids and pure electric vehicles. Unlike most hybrids, which use both the electric motor and the petrol engine to power the wheels, e-POWER uses the electric motor exclusively to drive the vehicle. The petrol engine only generates electricity, which charges the on-board battery and powers the electric motor.
This means that the driver can enjoy the benefits of an electric vehicle, such as instant torque, linear acceleration, and low noise, without worrying about the battery level or finding a charging station. The petrol engine also operates at optimal efficiency, resulting in lower fuel consumption and emissions than a conventional engine.
What are the advantages of e-POWER?
According to Nissan, e-POWER customers’ feedback shows that they particularly appreciate the quietness and easy driving characteristics of the powertrain. The electric motor delivers smooth and responsive performance, while the petrol engine operates quietly in the background. The driver can also choose from three driving modes: Standard, Sport, and Eco, to suit their preferences and road conditions.
Another benefit of e-POWER is that it enables regenerative braking, which recovers energy from the vehicle’s motion and sends it back to the battery. This reduces the need for the petrol engine to operate and improves fuel efficiency. The regenerative braking can be adjusted by using the e-Pedal, which allows the driver to start, accelerate, decelerate, and stop the vehicle using only the accelerator pedal.