Nissan unveils groundbreaking EV solution
Nissan has launched its new e-POWER drive system technology, an electric solution that eliminates the need for an external charger.
e-Power combines the EV technology used in its LEAF with a small gasoline engine to charge the battery when necessary, meaning there is no need for an external charger.
Described by the company as a ‘significant milestone in the electrification strategy under Nissan Intelligent Mobility’, the e-POWER system features full electric-motor drive, meaning that the wheels are completely driven by the electric motor.
In conventional hybrid systems, a low-output electric motor is mated to a gasoline engine to drive the wheels when the battery is low. However, in the e-POWER system, the gasoline engine is not connected to the wheels; it simply charges the battery.
And unlike a full EV, the power source originates from the engine and not just the battery.
This system structure generally requires a bigger motor and battery because the motor is the only direct source to drive wheels, but Nissan has managed to minimize and reduce weight by developing more responsive motor control methods and optimizing energy management. As a result, e-POWER uses a smaller battery than the LEAF, but delivers the same driving experience as a full EV.
Nissan says the e-POWER delivers massive torque almost instantly but, because it relies on the engine much less frequently, its fuel efficiency is comparable to that of leading conventional hybrids.
This development is a key stepping stone in Nissan’s pursuit of a zero-emission, zero-fatality world, which it hopes to achieve through its Intelligent Mobility vision.
