Nissan Leverages e-Power Hybrid Technology Amid Challenges

Money-losing Nissan is hoping to turn things around with its cutting-edge e-Power technology.

Key Highlights

• Nissan's e-POWER hybrids offer EV-like driving without external charging, aiming to boost global sales.
• Facing a $4.5B loss, Nissan restructures operations and expands e-POWER models to international markets. 

e-Power is a hybrid that includes both an electric motor and a gasoline engine, similar to the Toyota Prius. It differs from the Prius in that it does not switch between the motor and the engine while driving.

That means the car is always powered by its EV battery, resulting in a quiet and smooth ride.

Nissan has a proud history of pioneering innovative technology that distinguishes it, Chief Technology Officer Eiichi Akashi told reporters on the sidelines of a test drive at the company's Grandrive course outside Tokyo.

E-Power vehicles have the advantage of never needing to be charged, unlike EVs. The owner simply fills up at a gas station, and the vehicle never runs out of charge.

Nissan Motor Corp., which lost USD 4.5 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31, desperately needs a hot seller, particularly in the lucrative North American market. However, President Donald Trump's tariff policies are causing significant problems for all Japanese automakers in the US market.

To achieve a turnaround, Nissan is reducing costs, strengthening business partnerships, and redefining its product line. That's where e-Power comes in, according to Akashi.

Nissan, based in Yokohama, announced earlier this month that it will cut about 15% of its global workforce, or about 20,000 employees, and reduce the number of auto plants to 10 from 17, as part of an ambitious recovery plan led by new CEO Ivan Espinosa.

Nissan officials have not provided a price for the upcoming e-Power models. Suzuki Motor Corp., a tiny car manufacturer, is the only other automaker that uses similar technology.

E-Power is already available on Nissan's Qashqai and X-Trail models in Europe, as well as the Note in Japan. The upgraded version will be available in the new Rogue in the United States.

Nissan, a pioneer in EVs with its Leaf, which went on sale in 2010, is also developing more powerful EV models. It is also developing a solid-state battery that is expected to replace the lithium-ion batteries currently used in hybrids, EVs, and e-Power vehicles.

Analysts believe Nissan is about to run out of cash and requires a partner. There is widespread speculation that its Yokohama headquarters building will be sold, or that one of its Japan plants will be converted into a casino.

Nissan began talks with Japanese rival Honda Motor Co. about a business integration last year, but announced in February that the talks had been canceled.