Why does Nissan insist on this counterintuitive technology?

With its brand new Qashqai e-POWER, Nissan continues on a unique path of automotive electrification.

This Nissan technology has a name, e-POWER, and a philosophy that is quite surprising, that of a hybrid… where the internal combustion engine only serves to generate electricity. This system, launched in 2016 in Japan and then introduced in Europe in 2022, continues to stand out in a market leaning either towards classic hybrids or 100% electric models. So, why stick to it?

The latest generation of e-POWER, scheduled for September 2025, aims to be more refined than ever with a consumption reduced to 4.5 l/100 km, CO2 emissions cut down to 102 g/km, a range of 1,200 km, and improved acoustic comfort thanks to a noise reduction of 5.6 dB. Flattering figures, but achieved through a complex mechanism, namely a three-cylinder turbo petrol engine that never drives the wheels but solely acts as a generator to power an electric motor and a small battery.

Nissan reinvents the generator

In short, you fill up with petrol… to drive on electricity. This choice, contrary to trends, raises questions. Why not opt directly for a classic hybrid (like Toyota) or make the leap to fully electric? Nissan presents several arguments including driving pleasure close to an EV, responsiveness, but above all, the absence of anxiety related to charging. A compromise for the undecided about electric? Perhaps. But a compromise that remains dependent on an internal combustion engine and a traction chain more complex than it seems.

Certainly, engineers have thoroughly revised the engine, removed the variable compression ratio, optimized thermal efficiency, and reduced consumption under real conditions. But isn’t this sophistication a symptom of a technological halfway house that is difficult to sustain? Nissan seems to bet on the long term by viewing e-POWER as a bridge to 100% electric. We shall see if this roundabout path will sustainably attract European drivers, or if it will merely delay full electrification.

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