Nissan e-Power: New Hybrid Tech Drives Like EV, No Plug-In Needed | CNBC

Nissan is preparing to launch a unique hybrid powertrain in the U.S. Market, dubbed “e-Power,” that aims to deliver an electric driving experience without the need for plug-in charging. The system, a series hybrid, utilizes a gasoline engine solely to generate electricity, which then powers the vehicle’s electric motors and drives the wheels.

The e-Power system will debut in a new version of the popular Rogue compact SUV later this year, according to Nissan officials. This timing coincides with rising gasoline prices, a slower-than-anticipated adoption rate of fully electric vehicles and an anticipated increase in overall hybrid sales, creating a potentially favorable market for the technology. S&P Global Mobility forecasts U.S. Hybrid sales will rise to 18.4% of new vehicle sales in 2024, up from 12.6% in 2023 and 7.3% in 2022, while predicting pure EV sales will decrease to 7.1% from 8% last year.

“Here’s a unique powertrain for the for the U.S.,” said Kurt Rosolowsky, Nissan North America vehicle evaluation and test engineer, during a media briefing. “This is an electrically driven vehicle, as far as what is powering the wheels, but it doesn’t have a plug, and you fill it up with gas like you do with a normal car.”

Unlike traditional hybrids, such as the Toyota Prius, where the gasoline engine can directly power the vehicle, the e-Power system’s engine functions exclusively as a generator. This approach, Nissan says, provides a driving experience more akin to a fully electric vehicle. Nissan has deployed series hybrids, particularly in Asia, but has been hesitant to introduce them to the U.S. Market due to concerns about consumer expectations regarding performance and driving dynamics.

To address these concerns, Nissan has developed a more powerful 1.5-liter, three-cylinder turbocharged engine specifically for the e-Power system. “The turbo is only there to serve efficiency at higher speeds for the gas engine to deliver energy,” Rosolowsky explained. This is the third generation of Nissan’s series hybrid technology, with over 1.6 million e-Power vehicles sold globally in nearly 70 countries since its debut in Japan in 2016.

Industry analysts believe the e-Power system could be a significant offering for Nissan. “I think it’s going to be a really good system. I think it’s going to be very popular for Nissan in the new Rogue when it arrives later this year,” said Sam Abuelsamid, vice president of market research at Telemetry. He noted a potential drawback is reduced efficiency at higher speeds, an issue Nissan is attempting to mitigate with the new engine and battery size.

Testing of a European version of the Nissan Rogue Sport equipped with the e-Power system near Detroit revealed strong acceleration and regenerative braking, accompanied by engine noise but without the shifting or vibrations typically associated with traditional transmissions. “The driving experience really is what makes it different with those fewer components. You have less noise and less vibration,” Rosolowsky said.

The e-Power system eliminates the need for a traditional transmission and driveshaft, simplifying the powertrain. While the current Rogue Sport version is front-wheel drive, Nissan plans to implement the system in larger, all-wheel-drive vehicles, including the upcoming Rogue with e-Power. The absence of a plug and the familiar experience of refueling with gasoline may appeal to consumers hesitant to fully embrace electric vehicles.

While Nissan has not yet disclosed pricing or fuel economy figures for the new Rogue with e-Power, the Rogue Sport achieved over 40 miles per gallon during city driving, according to its onboard MPG system. The current Nissan Rogue achieves over 30 MPG, according to the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Nissan declined to comment on plans to expand the e-Power system to other vehicles in its U.S. Lineup, but Rosolowsky confirmed the system’s modular design allows for compatibility with various engine sizes. “If we were to expand this to other vehicles, you can theoretically bolt this onto another gasoline engine of a different size and have more options for an e-Power system,” he said.