Nissan Bringing Its e-POWER Technology To Australia, Likely With The Qashqai

Nissan has confirmed that it is bringing its e-POWER technology to Australia next year and will most likely do so with the new Qashqai.

The Japanese automaker’s e-POWER system consists of an electric motor, a petrol engine, and a high-output battery, just like a regular hybrid. However, whereas power from both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine drive the wheels on a conventional hybrid, Nissan’s system sees the electric motor exclusively power the wheels. The petrol engine is used only to charge the vehicle’s battery when necessary.

Read More: 2022 Nissan Qashqai Coming To Australia Early Next Year

“We call e-POWER a best-of-both-worlds solution, offering a driver the key benefits of an EV drive experience without ever having to plug in,” Nissan Australia managing director Adam Paterson said in a statement. “Nissan prides itself on delivering Intelligent Mobility solutions in every vehicle, and nowhere is that more obvious than with this Nissan-exclusive solution. While a traditional hybrid adds battery power to an internal-combustion engine, e-POWER delivers an EV-like driving experience, including exhilarating acceleration and near-silent operation, all while drastically reducing your fuel use and emissions.”

Nissan first introduced its e-POWER technology on the Japan-only Note in November 2016 and has since used it in the Kicks and the Serena. While Nissan itself didn’t reveal which of its models Down Under will be the first to feature the hybrid powertrain, all signs point towards it being offered as an option in the new Qashqai.

Local media reports that the new Qashqai will launch in Australia in early 2022 and is expected to initially be sold with standard petrol powertrains before the e-POWER model lands a little later.