According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), an average car emits more than 4 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. In order to counter the threat harmful emissions pose to the environment, automakers are striving to design automobiles that minimise emissions as much as possible without compromising on the vehicle’s efficiency. Not long ago, under their Intelligent Mobility program, Nissan came up with e-POWER technology to address the problem of emission of harmful chemicals and ascend the ladder of electrification of vehicles.
Here, we take an in-depth look at everything you need to know about Nissan’s e-POWER technology.
What is Nissan’s e-POWER technology?
In terms of the electrification of automobiles, Nissan’s e-POWER technology is quite a breakthrough. It is a powertrain wholly driven by electric motors. Developed in Japan by Nissan Motor Co. Ltd, it was built at the Oppama plant in Yokosuka. Nissan implemented this feature first in Note e-POWER and since then has gone on to make it available in the Japanese models of Note and Serena as well.
Nissan e-POWER, unsurprisingly, has proven a hit with consumers in Japan, where it has helped the Nissan Note become the nation’s best-selling vehicle. Furthermore, e-POWER versions account for nearly half of Serena sales and more than 70% of Note sales in Japan.
Components of the e-POWER technology
Nissan e-POWER technology includes the following components:
- a petrol engine with a power generator
- an inverter to operate devices that require low amount of power
- a battery to provide electrical power to devices that require electricity in order to function
- an electric motor to charge the battery
Benefits of e-POWER Technology
Whenever any new invention is unveiled, buyers are interested to give it a try. However, before purchasing it, it is essential to assess how it is better than the models preceding it. In this section, we take a look at what advantages e-POWER technology holds over conventional models.
- Lower emissions: This makes driving cleaner and helps to lessen the destructive impact of harmful chemicals on the environment
- Superior fuel efficiency: The 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine in the standard Note e-Power uses only 2.9 litres of petrol per 100 kilometres
- Torque: Since a vehicle’s horsepower is torque multiplied by rpm, the power produced by an engine is contingent upon torque. e-POWER has a torque of 200 Nm which is significantly higher than the average torque required in vehicles
- Smoother acceleration as compared to conventional models.
- Enables drivers to experience the conveniences of electric vehicles without needing to worry about charging the battery
Difference Between e-POWER and Conventional EV Technology
The main difference between e-POWER technology and conventional technology is the method by how electricity is produced. It’s not using the electricity from the charged batteries but it uses the electricity generated by the engine. The system decides when to use the engine to produce electricity and increase efficiency. Energy management is key to the EV-like driving experience of the new e-POWER.
When the battery is low in conventional hybrids, it is powered by a low-output electric motor that is attached to the petrol engine. On the other hand, the battery in LEAF is 1/20th the size and charged by the engine.
The wheels are totally driven by the electric motor as is the case with an EV. The e-POWER system has a full electric motor drive, which means the electric motor drives all four wheels. The petrol engine does not drive the wheels; instead, it charges the battery. Unlike a fully electric vehicle, the engine is the source of power rather than the battery.
As the motor is the only direct source to drive the wheels, this system configuration usually necessitates a larger motor. Consequently, the e-POWER has a smaller battery than the LEAF but still manages to provide the same driving experience.
Nissan is one of the world’s biggest automotive brands. In a press release issued by Nissan in January 2021, Nissan claimed that every new model of theirs from the early 2030s will be electrified. For those based in the UAE, dubizzle has a large collection of Nissan cars and used cars for sale in the UAE.
To keep up with all the latest news happening in the automotive world, stay tuned to UAE’s leading auto blog.
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