Electric mobility is touted as the way forward in reducing both harmful emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. But in developing markets such as the Philippines, the transition is easier said than done.
Nissan sidesteps the shortfalls of electric vehicles with e-Power technology
Customers who otherwise want to join this revolution are held back by challenges like inadequate charging infrastructure, range anxiety, and prohibitive costs. The most ideal compromise these days are hybrid vehicles, and Nissan’s own take on this alternative powertrain is its e-Power technology.
What is e-Power?
Nissan e-Power refers to the automaker’s propulsion system that combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor, like those used by conventional hybrids. The technology was first introduced on the second-generation Note mini MPV for the Japanese market in 2016.
While Nissan refers to e-Power as a 100 percent electric motor-driven system, the powertrain is actually a series hybrid due to the presence of the combustion engine. Compared to parallel hybrids where the engine and electric motor care able to alternate in powering the drive wheels, a series hybrid has just one power unit mechanically linked to the wheels.
How does it work?
In a vehicle equipped with Nissan e-Power, only the electric motor has the job of spinning the wheels all the time, much like an electric car. The motor draws power from an onboard battery that is designed to be lightweight, but since the battery is small, it only has a limited capacity.
Under e-Power, the gasoline engine serves as a generator to power the electric motor
What happens when the battery runs low? This is where the combustion engine plays an important role, but not in the way you might think. In e-Power, the gasoline engine serves as a generator, recharging the battery and ensuring that it never runs out of juice to keep the electric motor running. An inverter converts the battery’s stored energy into usable energy for the motor.
Nissan says that e-Power uses Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) technology refined in the LEAF EV. Unlike the LEAF’s external charging requirement, however, the e-Power battery is topped up by the combustion engine itself in a self-contained charging system. Simply put, the battery will never run of charge, as long as there is enough fuel to keep the engine running. Moreover, there is no gearbox involved since the combustion engine only powers the electrical system.
What are the benefits?
Nissan’s e-Power is technically not a full electric solution, but it brings plenty of benefits nonetheless. Chief of these is efficiency compared to a conventional combustion powertrain (or even many hybrid ones).
As the onboard engine is not mechanically connected to the wheels, it can run at its most efficient speed even during stop-and-go traffic, and this improved engine management reduces both fuel consumption and emissions. Typical mileage for e-Power vehicles exceeds 23 kilometers per liter in combined city and highway driving, according to Nissan.
Nissan's e-Power technology will debut in the upcoming Kicks subcompact crossover
Efficiency is further improved with the use of both a small battery and engine, cutting down on the weight that e-Power moves around on a regular basis. A bigger battery is not necessary since the engine is always there to provide instant charging. Another way to top up the battery is through the brake energy recovery system, taking the heat generated by the brakes and converting it to electrical energy for storage and use.
Nissan e-Power uses a single-speed constant ratio gearbox instead of a standard transmission. There are no steps or even shift shock associated with gear changes, resulting in instant torque and smooth power delivery. And since the combustion engine still runs on gasoline, looking for the next fuel stop is easier than worrying about where the nearest charging station is located.
A new chapter in mobility is arriving
Finally, e-Power makes its debut in our market with the upcoming Kicks subcompact crossover, which uses a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder gasoline engine to charge the battery that runs an electric motor spinning the front wheels. The Nissan Kicks e-Power also features an innovative e-Pedal system that simplifies acceleration and braking with just one pedal.
Full electric mobility might still be out of reach of most customers right now. But, at least Nissan is taking steps to ensure that no one gets left behind in the quest for more sustainable transport with e-Power.
Learn more about alternative technologies that will change the face of mobility at Philkotse.com.