What is Nissan's e-POWER Hybrid Powertrain?

Earlier this year Nissan released e-POWER, a new hybrid technology which offered electric driving without needing to recharge. 

As innovators in the electrification market, with their seminal electric car the LEAF, Nissan certainly knows a thing or two about electrification. Their latest innovation can be seen as a revolutionary step in the hybrid vehicle market. Offering drivers the responsive and quiet drive of a full EV, without having to plug in and charge up e-POWER is unique in its driving experience. 

Currently, e-POWER is available on two of Nissan's flagship models, the serial award-winning Nissan Qashqai, and the All-New Nissan X-Trail. The latter is also available with e-4ORCE, Nissan's all-wheel electric driving experience.

Keep reading to discover exactly what e-POWER is, how it works, and how it differs from existing hybrid technology on the market. Also, we will explore how this technology can benefit the driver, looking at the fuel efficiency and driving experience.  

• How Is e-POWER Different From A Regular Hybrid?

  

• Vehicles with e-POWER include both a petrol engine and an electric motor. The sole purpose of the petrol engine is to generate power for the electric battery, which alone drives the wheels of the vehicle. 

  Borrowing from the electric battery used in the LEAF, Nissan has added a petrol engine to charge the battery and subsequently eliminates the need for a battery. 

  In comparison, a traditional hybrid will often use a combination of petrol and electric motors to generate the movement of the vehicle. This means that a standard hybrid will only offer a limited amount of electric driving based on a smaller range. Whereas an e-POWER vehicle offers an electric drive all of the time.

  The e-POWER also features regenerative braking technology. This means the kinetic energy which is produced every time you break is used by an e-POWER vehicle and converted back to electricity. Creating a more economical drive. 

• What Are The Unique Advantages Of e-POWER

• Ultimately, e-POWER delivers an electric drive without the need to plug in and charge. This makes an e-POWER vehicle a fantastic transition to a fully electric vehicle. As the driver can experience the full benefits of what an EV has to offer without any of the concerning factors being an issue.

  Including the responsive and quiet drive that had become synonymous with electric vehicles. The quiet driving experience allows your passenger to travel in comfort, and the responsive acceleration helps to connect the driver to the road.  

  Additionally, e-POWER increases fuel efficiency for the Nissan Qashqai and the X-Trial. This is because the petrol engine is solely focused on making power for the electric motor, meaning the engine doesn't rev. For example, the Nissan Qashqai with e-POWER can travel up to 1,000km on just one tank of fuel!

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• This makes an e-POWER vehicle perfect for families who need to make longer trips or do regular school runs. Particularly as e-POWER is available on family SUVs such as the Qashqai and X-Trial. 

  Nissan's latest hybrid technology allows motorists the ability to join the electric power revolution without having to make compromises with the worry of having to find a charging point. This innovative technology is fantastic for drivers who are looking to make that leap to electric vehicles but still have concerns over the ability to charge at home or find the public charging infrastructure lacking. 

  Of course, e-POWER is not a full EV and therefore does not come with the added benefits of zero tailpipe emissions. However, it provides an EV-like driving experience and is the perfect gateway to full electrification. 

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