Nissan e-Power to launch in Thailand; is PH next?

MANILA: Nissan officially confirms that its e-Power technology, the automaker’s version of hybrid technology that uses an electric motor powered by a battery and a petrol engine, is coming to Thailand.

It becomes one of only a handful of countries aside from Japan to sell vehicles with e-Power in their local markets, but it will be the first country outside of Japan to manufacture automobiles equipped with the technology.

This significant announcement opens the possibility of the Philippines getting vehicles with e-Power as we are one of Thailand’s export markets (Navara and Terra).

If that happens, it will be a major marketing shift considering Yutaka Sanada (regional senior vice president of Nissan Asia and Oceania) proclaimed last year that the all-electric Leaf will launch in the Philippines in 2020.

 The e-Power system does not need external plug-in charging to power the built-in battery. Instead, it uses regenerative braking and the internal combustion engine.

Nissan considers the imminent arrival of e-Power as a “technological bridge” prior to getting full battery electric vehicles.

"Nissan's commitment is to change the way we all drive and live. As leaders in electrification, we decided to pledge to continue our timeline to bring this ground-breaking e-Power technology to Thailand. As a key global production and export hub for Nissan and the regional leader in driving the company's vision for the electrification of mobility, this reinforces our commitment to Thailand and our valued customers and employees," said Ramesh Narasimhan, president of Nissan in Thailand.

The technology was awarded "Technology of the Year" by the Automotive Researchers' and Journalists' Conference of Japan and accounts for two-thirds of all Nissan Note vehicles sold in the country, making it the best-selling vehicle in that segment.

Borrowing technology from the Nissan Leaf, e-Power has a gasoline engine with a power generator, an inverter, a battery, and an electric motor. The wheels of the e-Power vehicle are completely driven by the electric motor, powered by the gasoline engine. The engine is not only charging the battery but also giving electricity, through the inverter, directly to the motor. When extra acceleration is required or when climbing a steep hill, the electric motor receives power from both the battery and the engine to enhance its performance.  The partial electrification of the powertrain makes e-Power a very fuel efficient and low-emission technology.

"Thailand has been strategically selected to introduce this unique Nissan e-Power technology following its popularity in Japan. We are very excited to introduce it to our valued Thai customers and showcase our local manufacturing expertise," added Narasimhan.

Photos from Nissan

Also read: Nissan TH plants shut until May 31, may affect PH supply