Nissan's e-POWER electrifies Europe with 100,000 sales

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.

How popular is e-POWER in Europe?

e-POWER has been a success story for Nissan in Europe, where it was introduced in September 2022 on both the Qashqai and X-Trail models. Since then, over 100,000 customers have chosen e-POWER as their preferred powertrain option. The Nissan Qashqai, Nissan’s best-selling crossover in Europe, has sold 65,367 units with e-POWER, while the Nissan X-Trail, Nissan’s flagship SUV, has sold 34,663 units with e-POWER.

To celebrate this achievement, Nissan created a 3D projection on the Nissan Qashqai and Nissan X-Trail models, which provides a glimpse into the technical innovation of e-POWER. The projection shows the dynamic flow of energy that drives the 100,000 e-POWER vehicles across the region and the components of the powertrain, such as the electric motor, the battery, and the petrol engine.

What are the future plans for e-POWER?

e-POWER is a key component of Nissan’s electrification strategy, which aims to offer a range of powertrain options for different customer needs and preferences. Nissan is committed to expanding its e-POWER portfolio in Europe and other markets, such as Japan, China, and Thailand, where e-POWER is already available on several models, such as the Nissan Note, the Nissan Serena, and the Nissan Kicks.

Nissan is also developing new and improved versions of e-POWER, such as the e-4ORCE, which is a four-wheel-drive system that uses two electric motors to deliver balanced and stable performance on various terrains. The e-4ORCE is expected to debut on the Nissan Ariya, Nissan’s first all-electric crossover, which is scheduled to launch in Europe in 2024.

Nissan’s e-POWER technology is a gateway to an electric drive, as it offers a driving experience similar to a full electric vehicle while reducing the barriers to adoption, such as range anxiety and charging infrastructure. With e-POWER, Nissan is making electrification more accessible and appealing to a wider range of customers while contributing to a sustainable and zero-emission future.