MOTORING NEWS - Nissan's e-Power drive system has been made available to consumers for the first time, marking a significant milestone in the electrification strategy under Nissan Intelligent Mobility.
e-Power borrows from the EV technology in the pure electric Nissan Leaf. Unlike the Leaf, the drive system adds a small gasoline engine to charge the high-output battery when necessary, eliminating the need for an external charger while offering the same high-output.
The e-Power system, classified as a series-hybrid, features full electric-motor drive, meaning that the wheels are completely driven by the electric motor.
The power from a high-output battery is delivered to the e-Power’s compact powertrain comprised of a gasoline engine, power generator, inverter, and a 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 (or when traveling at high speeds).
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.
