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nissan he also brought his to Europe and therefore also to Italy e-Power technology. The Japanese automaker describes cars using this system as “electric cars that do not need to be recharged“. Behind this definition hides a technology developed and patented by Nissan of a series hybrid system.
Compared to classic full hybrid systems from other Japanese automakers, here to move the wheels only and exclusively one thinks about it electric motor. The petrol unit, on the other hand, only serves to generate energy to recharge the batteries and power the electric propulsion system.
THE PETROL ENGINE BECOMES A GENERATOR
A technical solution, therefore, well different from the classic parallel hybrid system that many are used to using, in which the electric and internal combustion unit can work together and both provide traction to the wheels. Nissan, on the other hand, has chosen a series hybrid scheme where only the electric motor drives the car. This allows you to take advantage of some of the typical advantages of electric cars such as the power and torque immediately available and the absence of a gearbox. So, no scooter effect of some Full Hybrid car transmissions that people don’t like very much. Thanks to the use of the electric unit alone, driving is overall more fluid.
Where do we find the new e-Power system within the Nissan range? The Japanese manufacturer offers this technology in some versions of the new Qashqai and the new X-Trail. Let’s go into the details and see how this series hybrid system of the Japanese brand works.
Nissan e-Power therefore consists of an electric motor that moves the wheels of the car, a heat engine that produces energy, a high-power battery, a generator and an inverter. On the Qashqai we find a 140 kW (190 HP) electric unit with 330 Nm of torque, while on the X-Trail the power is higher. In fact, there are 150 kW (204 HP) available, again with 330 Nm of torque (in the version with all-wheel drive there is a second 100 kW/136 HP electric motor at the rear).
The endothermic unit is in all cases a motor 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine with 116 kW (158 bhp) of power with 250Nm of torque. This power unit is derived from Infiniti and is characterized by the presence of variable compression ratio technology developed by Nissan. Depending on the driving conditions, automatically and instantly chooses the most suitable compression ratio in a range between 14:1 and 8:1, optimizing efficiency and therefore performance and efficiency.
For example, when traveling at a constant speed, the compression ratio will be kept at high values to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. In cases of strong acceleration, the system will choose low compression ratios favoring performance.
The inverter is placed between the electric motor and the petrol one and takes care of directing the electric energy generated by the internal combustion engine to the battery or to the electric unit according to the driving conditions. As for the accumulator, the capacity is 1.8 kWh. As in all full hybrid systems, the battery does not have a large capacity. However, it allows you to move forward with the petrol engine off even for a few kilometers if you don’t overdo the accelerator and if you are traveling at constant speeds. In any case, the start of operation of the internal combustion engine is almost completely imperceptible to anyone inside the car.
The Nissan e-Power system features energy recovery as in all electric/hybrid. Therefore, by slowing down or braking, energy is recovered which goes to recharge the battery. To maximize recovery, e-Pedal Step function is available, which allows you to accelerate and brake using only the accelerator pedal. The system reduces speed, but without bringing the car to a complete stop.
Finally, to further increase acoustic comfort, Linear Tune was createda system that guarantees a direct connection between the number of revolutions of the internal combustion engine and the speed of the car.
THE ADVANTAGES OF THE E-POWER SYSTEM
The advantages of Nissan’s e-power system? As mentioned above, thanks to the use of the electric motor alone for traction, it is possible to enjoy some highly appreciated characteristics of electric cars such as immediately available power and torque. Be careful though, Nissan has chosen a specific setup for the electric drive which tends to dampen the starting phase making it more “soft”. The trigger, however, always remains vigorous when compared to that of the endothermic versions.
The electric motor always responds immediately to pressure on the accelerator. Even uphill, the response is prompt thanks to the torque immediately available. Overtaking in all conditions is therefore much easier, also to the advantage of the car perceived security.
The absence of the gearbox makes the driving of e-Power cars much more pleasant than that of hybrids from other Japanese brands, especially in comparison with models equipped with the CVT. The noise of the endothermic engine is always very discreet and never intrusive, to the full advantage of ride comfort. After all, the engine works, as we have seen, only as a generator. Furthermore, the sound of the petrol engine is correlated to the speed precisely to eliminate that annoying effect for many: the desynchronization between engine revs and actual speed.
We cannot fail to mention the advantages in terms of consumption and emissions. For example, for its Qashqai e-Power, Nissan claims a range of over 1,000 km on a full tank, with emissions of 119 g CO2/km (-20% vs petrol). The new Nissan X-Trail e-Power, the only 7-seater electrified SUV in its category, travels 950 km on a full tank, thanks to reduced fuel consumption (-15% vs previous generation diesel X-Trail and -19% vs petrol ), with CO2 emissions of 131 g/km (-30% vs petrol).
In the test carried out by Luigi, the Qashqai e-Power scored an average of 5 liters per 100 km with careful use, which translates into 1,100 km with a full 55-litre tank. Those with a heavy foot might see different results, but experience has shown that those who drive a hybrid soon manage to learn through experience those little tricks that allow you to make the most of the car and in the area of maximum efficiency, without giving up to performance
In urban contexts, you can take full advantage of Nissan’s e-Power system features. In fact, in such scenarios where frequent restarts and braking facilitate energy regeneration, the system tends to keep the internal combustion engine off more often, with about 65% fewer ignitions than a traditional hybrid system.
Finally, we cannot fail to mention that Qashqai and X-Trail e-Power enjoy tax breaks (reduction or exemption of the road tax), subsidized RCA costs, free access to the ZTL in large urban centers and free parking on the blue lines, according to the various regional and local provisions.
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08 Jul
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Oct 19
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Are Nissan electric models with e-Power technology electric or hybrid?
These are hybrid cars, even if with a different operating scheme compared to that of other models of Japanese manufacturers.
How does series hybrid work?
The wheels are moved only and exclusively by an electric motor. The endothermic unit, on the other hand, is used exclusively to generate energy to recharge the batteries and power the electric propulsion system.
What are the advantages of using only the electric motor for traction?
Those of electric cars. Therefore, power and torque are immediately available, in addition to the absence of a gearbox. Nothing “scooter effect” of other Japanese hybrid models.
How do you recharge the battery?
In addition to the internal combustion engine, the battery is recharged using energy recovery. By braking or slowing down, the accumulator will be fed as in all hybrid/electric cars.
Can the battery also be recharged from an electrical outlet?
No, this option is not available. Furthermore, the accumulator has a very limited capacity.
Is there “one-pedal” driving as in other electric/hybrid models?
Yes, Nissan also offers the e-Pedal function with e-Power technology which allows you to accelerate and brake using only the accelerator pedal. This solution also makes it possible to maximize energy recovery. Be careful though, this system slows down the car without ever stopping it completely.
Is it possible to travel a stretch of road with the internal combustion engine off, relying only on the electric one and the battery?
Yes, but only for a handful of km, at constant speeds and with the battery sufficiently charged. Moreover, the battery capacity is very low (1.8 kWh).
In partnership with Nissan
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