Nissan Banks On Hybrid EV Technology to Survive Stiff Competition

Money-losing Japanese automaker Nissan is relying on its latest “e-Power” technology for a turnaround, Yuri Kageyama reported for the Associated Press (AP).

Nissan is in urgent need of a successful product—particularly in the lucrative North American market. Photo: Nissan

A type of hybrid, e-Power uses both an electric motor and a gasoline engine, similar to Toyota Motor Corp.’s Prius.

However, unlike the Prius, it does not switch between the motor and the engine during the drive. Instead, the car always runs on its electric battery, offering a consistently quiet and smooth ride.

“Nissan has a proud history of pioneering innovative technology that sets us apart,” Chief Technology Officer Eiichi Akashi told reporters on the sidelines of a test drive at the company’s Grandrive course outside Tokyo.

The key advantage of e-Power vehicles is that they never need to be plugged in for charging like typical EVs. Instead, the gasoline engine charges the battery, so drivers simply refuel at a gas station and don’t risk running out of power.

Nissan Motor Corp., which posted a $4.5 billion loss for the fiscal year ending in March, is in urgent need of a successful product—particularly in the lucrative North American market.