Hybrid cars are now a familiar sight on UK roads, but not all hybrids are created equal…
Some use a petrol engine most of the time, with a small electric motor helping out when needed. Others (PHEVs) can be plugged in and driven for a number of miles on electric power alone, but still rely on a petrol engine to drive the wheels when those power reserves run out.
Nissan’s e-POWER system is uniquely different. It’s still a hybrid, because it uses both petrol and electric power, but the way it drives is much closer to an electric vehicle.
In simple terms, a Nissan e-POWER car is always driven by an electric motor. The petrol engine is there to generate electricity, rather than to directly drive the wheels.
So how does e-POWER work?
In a conventional petrol car, the engine sends power through a gearbox to the wheels. In many traditional hybrids, the petrol engine and electric motor can both help drive the wheels, either separately or together.
With Nissan e-POWER, the wheels are driven by the electric motor all the time. The petrol engine acts more like an onboard generator. It produces electricity, which can either be sent straight to the electric motor or stored in the car’s battery for later use.
That means the car can deliver the smooth, instant response people often associate with electric cars, but without needing to be plugged in.
You simply fill it up with petrol as normal, and the system manages the rest automatically.
Is e-POWER an electric car?
Not quite. An e-POWER Nissan feels a lot like an electric car to drive, because the wheels are powered by an electric motor, but it is not a fully electric car.
A fully electric car, such as the Nissan LEAF or Ariya, stores electricity in a large battery and needs to be charged from a plug. An e-POWER model has a smaller battery and uses its petrol engine to generate electricity while you drive.
So the best way to think of it is this: e-POWER gives you some of the feel of electric driving, but with the convenience of refuelling at a petrol station.
Do you have to plug in a Nissan e-POWER car?
No. That is one of the key differences between e-POWER and a plug-in hybrid or full electric vehicle.
There is no charging cable and no need to find a public charger. The car charges its own battery as you drive, using the petrol engine and energy recovered when slowing down or braking.
For drivers who like the idea of electric-style driving but are not yet ready to plug in, that can make e-POWER a very easy system to live with.
What does it feel like to drive?
Because the wheels are driven by an electric motor, acceleration feels smooth and responsive. There is no traditional gearchange sensation, and power arrives quickly when you press the accelerator.
Around town, this can make an e-POWER car feel relaxed and easy to drive. The system is designed to work quietly in the background, switching the petrol engine on and off when needed to generate electricity.
Drivers may notice the engine running at times, especially when more power is needed or the battery needs topping up, but the driving experience is still much more electric in character than a normal petrol car.
What about fuel economy?
The big benefit of a hybrid system is that it can use energy more efficiently, particularly in stop-start driving.
Nissan e-POWER can recover energy when the car slows down, storing it in the battery and using it again to help power the electric motor. In town and on slower roads, where braking and gentle acceleration are common, this can be especially useful.
As with any car, real-world fuel economy will depend on the way you drive, the type of journeys you do, the weather, traffic and road conditions. But for many drivers, e-POWER offers a useful balance between the familiar convenience of petrol and the smoother feel of electric driving.
Is e-POWER the same as a mild hybrid?
No. A mild hybrid is much closer to a regular petrol car. In a mild hybrid, the engine still drives the wheels, with a small electric system helping improve efficiency.
In an e-POWER car, the electric motor drives the wheels all the time. That is the major difference, and it is why e-POWER feels more like an electric car from behind the wheel.
Which Nissan models use e-POWER?
In the UK, e-POWER is best known from models such as the Nissan Qashqai and Nissan X-Trail.
In the Qashqai, e-POWER gives Nissan’s popular family SUV a smoother, more electric-style driving experience without requiring owners to change their usual refuelling habits.
In the larger X-Trail, e-POWER is designed to bring similar benefits to a more spacious family SUV, with the option of Nissan’s electrified all-wheel-drive technology on selected versions.
Should I buy a Nissan with e-POWER?
Nissan e-POWER could make sense for drivers who are curious about electric cars, but still want the simplicity of petrol refuelling.
It may be particularly appealing if you do a mixture of town driving, school runs, commuting and longer journeys, and you want a car that feels smooth and easy without needing to plan charging stops.
It is also a useful stepping stone for anyone thinking about going electric in the future. You get used to the instant response and quieter feel of an electric motor, while still using a car that fits neatly into normal petrol-car habits.
In summary…
Nissan e-POWER is a hybrid system with a clever twist.
The petrol engine generates electricity. The battery stores electricity. The electric motor drives the wheels.
That means you get an electric-style drive, but without plugging in.
For many drivers, that could be the best of both worlds: smooth, responsive and easy to use, with the familiar reassurance of filling up at a petrol station.