Nissan, the electrification expert, explains the differences between its electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles and other forms of efficient powertrains

Nissan, the electrification expert, explains the differences between its electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles and other forms of efficient powertrains
Nissan, the electrification expert, explains the differences between its electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles and other forms of efficient powertrains
Nissan, the electrification expert, explains the differences between its electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles and other forms of efficient powertrains
Nissan, the electrification expert, explains the differences between its electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles and other forms of efficient powertrains
Nissan, the electrification expert, explains the differences between its electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles and other forms of efficient powertrains
Nissan, the electrification expert, explains the differences between its electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles and other forms of efficient powertrains
Nissan, the electrification expert, explains the differences between its electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles and other forms of efficient powertrains

Nissan, the electrification expert, has an innovative global vehicle portfolio with a wide range of powertrains. Under its Nissan Intelligent Mobility vision, Nissan seeks to transform the way vehicles are powered, driven and integrated into society. To shape a more sustainable future Nissan offers 100% electric technology, hybrid technology, its innovative e-POWER powertrain and the world’s first-ever production-ready variable-compression engine. Under its Nissan M.O.V.E. to 2022 midterm plan, worldwide the company is expecting to sell more than one million electrified vehicles yearly by 2022, encouraging the use of sustainable energy.

“Our powertrain options aim to meet our customers’ needs and all are solidly grounded on Nissan’s vision to deliver more autonomy, more electrification, and more connectivity to move people to a better world,” said Antoine Barthes, President of Nissan Motor Thailand

These are the main characteristics of each type of powertrain:

 

100% electric

Using a 100% high-power electric motor, a battery system and an inverter, Nissan’s electric powertrain or e-Powertrain powers its electric vehicles. It is a light and compact system compared to internal combustion engines, and delivers instant torque with very low vibrations.

The zero–emission e-Powertrain uses less energy than a combustion engine and does not require any additional components or moving parts that wear and tear with heat or friction (like the parts of the cooling or starting systems, oil, valves, camshafts and pistons.)

The Nissan LEAF and the commercial e-NV200 are examples of 100% electric vehicles that have this type of drive mechanism. Nissan LEAF is the world’s top-selling vehicle in this segment, with over 320,000 sold worldwide since it was first launched. More than 18,000 zero-emission e-NV200 vans have been sold around the world and Nissan recently announced the introduction of the new generation of this model.

 

e-POWER

This technology is an exclusive development by Nissan and was launched in 2016. Unlike the 100% electric motor, e-POWER powertrain has a set of two components: an electric motor and a small internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine produces energy to power the electric motor when its charge is depleted. This does away with the need of external charging stations for the electric motor.

e-Power advantages include less CO2 emissions than fuel engines, a quieter motor with less vibration and an original system that reduces the dependency of electric motors on charging stations. Furthermore, the e-POWER powertrain also incorporates the e-Pedal system, which means that drivers can start the vehicle, accelerate, decelerate and bring it to a full stop using just one pedal.

The e-POWER powertrain is now being sold successfully in Japan in the Nissan Note & Serena. The fuel efficiency of the Note e-POWER is 30% better than that of similar conventional gasoline-driven vehicles. Nissan has also announced that the popular Nissan models will also integrate the e-POWER technology.

 

Conventional Hybrid

Hybrid vehicles have a powertrain system with two components: an electric motor and an engine that runs on gasoline. Both power sources, together with the battery, start the hybrid system. When switched on, the vehicle switches automatically to electric mode, which saves fuel as the vehicle starts from zero.

Depending on factors such as battery charge, road conditions or driving patterns, the electric motor powers the vehicle up to a speed of approximately 40 miles per hour, after which the combustion engine takes over to complement or supplement the electric engine.

The benefits of this engine include better fuel consumption, less CO2 emissions than a gasoline engine and greater efficiency and power. Currently, Nissan’s hybrid powertrain is fitted in the X-Trail Hybrid, which has 28.8% less emissions than the gasoline version.

 

More efficient gasoline engines

The new Nissan VC-Turbo stands out among the more efficient engines. Launched this year at a global scale, it’s the world’s first-ever production-ready variable-compression turbo engine. This cutting edge engine constantly adjusts its compression ratio to optimize power and fuel efficiency.

The VC-Turbo engine uses two combustion cycles where the electronic synchronization of the variable valve allows the engine to switch between the Atkinson cycle and the normal combustion cycles. This helps reduce CO2 emission and delivers a quieter engine and less vibration. It also has a system that uses multi-point injection as direct injection, which improves efficiency and fuel consumption. The engine alternates between both cycles at normal engine speed, and both sets of injectors can work together under higher loads.

The new-generation Nissan Altima is fitted with this state-of-the-art engine, which took over twenty years to be developed and is, without a doubt, a great step forward in the combustion engines design.

About Nissan Motor (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

Nissan was established in Japan since 1933 with the commitment to create Innovation that Excites for customer satisfaction. Nissan wants to improve quality of life for people in society by pursuing a goal of zero emission vehicles and zero fatalities on the road with “Nissan Intelligent Mobility”. The company plans to introduce autonomous drive vehicles across regions for safety and more enjoyable driving experience. Nissan started business in Thailand since 1952. Currently, the Nissan Group of Companies in Thailand has subsidiaries five companies, including two of the production bases, over than 180  showrooms and service centers nationwide network. Vehicle range cover all segments includes 10 models spanning the entry level Eco-Car, SUV, Premium Sedans and Pickup Trucks.

 

About Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Nissan is a global full-line vehicle manufacturer that sells more than 60 models under the Nissan, INFINITI and Datsun brands. In fiscal year 2017, the company sold 5.77 million vehicles globally, generating revenue of 11.9 trillion yen. On April 1, 2017, the company embarked on Nissan M.O.V.E. to 2022, a six-year plan targeting a 30% increase in annualized revenues to 16.5 trillion yen by the end of fiscal 2022, along with cumulative free cash flow of 2.5 trillion yen. As part of Nissan M.O.V.E. to 2022, the company plans to extend its leadership in electric vehicles, symbolized by the world's best-selling all-electric vehicle in history, the Nissan LEAF. Nissan’s global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan, manages operations in six regions: Asia & Oceania; Africa, the Middle East & India; China; Europe; Latin America; and North America. Nissan has partnered with French manufacturer Renault since 1999 and acquired a 34% stake in Mitsubishi Motors in 2016. Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi is today the world’s largest automotive partnership, with combined sales of more than 10.6 million vehicles in calendar year 2017.

For more information about our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit nissan-global.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn and see all our latest videos on YouTube.