Latest news with #e-Power
Miami Herald
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
VW's EV Masterplan Expands Beyond Just Batteries
Volkswagen is in the middle of a turnaround strategy that will put the German brand back on track. Its grand plan was revealed earlier this year, with nine new models to be launched in the next few years. The all-new Scalable Systems Platform (SSP)is part of this movement, though various issues have plagued its rollout, including software issues related to Cariad. Now, VW has revealed an update about the SSP, and it's a major one that involves internal combustion engines. After years of touting the SSP as its clean-sheet EV architecture, the German auto giant has revealed that SSP will also support internal combustion engines, though not in the traditional sense. Instead, VW is pivoting toward range-extending gas engines that generate electricity to charge batteries, not drive the wheels. While VW may tout this as an evolution of the SSP architecture, the incorporation of a range-extender engine is more like a safety net for the brand. At this point, several automakers have already backpedaled from their all-EV push due to waning demand for BEVs. VW is one of them, and this is the company's solution. The SSP architecture will still be fully electric at heart, but it will also accommodate range extenders. These are internal combustion engines used solely to generate power for the battery, with no mechanical link to the wheels. Nissan's e-Power, which is reportedly reaching the US market, operates on the same principle as VW's SSP. The defunct Mazda MX-30 also got a similar upgrade with a rotary range extender, while VW Group's own Scout brand is also launching in the market with the same technology. One of SSP's headline vehicles will be the ninth-generation VW Golf, which will be fully electric and will coexist with the current Mk8 Golf for several years. It's unclear whether there will be a range-extended version of the Golf, but we expect the model to arrive by 2029, so there is an allowance for adjustments to VW's plan. In China, the world's biggest automotive market, Volkswagen already previewed the ID. Era concept, which features a gasoline-powered range extender. Of note, EV demand in China is also dropping, with range-extended EVs and plug-in hybrid gaining popularity. Despite the expanded capabilities, VW doesn't expect this range-extended EV strategy to take hold everywhere. According to VW CEO Thomas Schäfer, Europe is unlikely to see SSP-based range extender models where plug-in hybrids remain the more viable option. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Hindustan Times
08-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Volkswagen's new modular EV platform supports combustion engines, but there's a catch
Volkswagen's SSP will play a crucial role in the automobile group's future product strategy. (AFP) Notify me Remember Volkswagen's Scalable Systems Platform, or SSP, which is a modular electric vehicle architecture? It's been more than four years since the German automaker announced the SSP, the all-encompassing electric vehicle of the OEM. Volkswagen's Scalable Systems Platform was originally expected to be ready by now, but it has been delayed until later this decade. This setback has been attributed to Volkswagen's software division Cariad. However, the auto major is revealing new details of the SSP. While the SSP is primarily an electric vehicle platform, it is also supposed to support internal combustion engines (ICE). But, there is a catch. Volksagen AG plans to introduce ICE to the SSP as a range extender not as a power mill to drive the vehicles. This means the ICE will generate power not to drive the wheels of the EVs underpinned by the SSP, but will function as generators to charge the battery pack onboard. In a nutshell, the ICE will not be mechanically linked to the wheels. Interestingly, Nissan's e-Power technology too follows a similar working principle, where the petrol engine powers the battery pack, not the drivetrain. Volkswagen plans to make SSP a foundation for models across all its brands. Volkswagen had already indicated its interest in range extender technology. The newly launched Scout brand of the company is gearing up to launch a pickup truck and an SUV, which all will come with naturally aspirated ICE generators. SSP to play key role in VW's future product strategy The SSP is a major initiative for Volkswagen as the automaker plans to make this architecture a foundation for models across all its brands. This will eventually replace all the existing EV platforms of the Volkswagen AG. The carmaker is planning to launch at least five different models across different body styles based on the SSP. These vehicles will range from a city hatchback to a large SUV. According to Automotive News report, there will be eight derivatives in total, covering every segment of the market. Next-generation electric cars from the Volkswagen AG based on SSP are expected to start rolling out in 2026. Check out Upcoming EV Cars in India, Upcoming EV Bikes in India. First Published Date: 08 Jun 2025, 12:16 PM IST
Hindustan Times
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Nissan's new hybrid powertrain promises EV-like benefits. Will it be available in India?
Nissan's e-Power hybrid powertrain technology works in a different manner than other hybrid systems, offering more efficiency similar to electric vehicles. Check Offers Nissan is working on a new hybrid powertrain for its cars that is expected to go on sale in the North American markets soon. The Japanese car manufacturer that has been sailing through troubled waters for quite some time had initially promised to bring hybrid cars that would offer cost parity with petrol models. However, now it has been revealed that its new hybrid cars, which will come promising electric vehicle-like benefits, will cost significantly more than their pure ICE-powered counterparts. Nissan's hybrid system, dubbed e-Power, has been on sale in other parts of the world for some time. Currently, in its third generation avatar, the Nissan e-Power hybrid powertrain comes as a 5-in-1 system, which combines the electric motor, inverter, generator, reducer and increase into a single module. The OEM claims that this integration helps in reducing weight, boosts efficiency and helps minimise noise and vibration as well. Also Read : Upcoming cars in India The new Nissan e-Power system enables the internal combustion engine (ICE) to act as a generator to charge the battery pack, and it powers the wheels. This mechanism is in contrast with other hybrid powertrains where battery and electric motors supplement power from the engine, which is routed to the ground directly. Hence, the new e-Power is a different take on hybrid powertrain technology. The new e-Power technology acts in a manner that is more commonly found in diesel trains and a few cars, but Nissan is bringing it to the mainstream passenger vehicle powertrain technology. While this can offer benefits like electric vehicles, it is expected to be significantly costlier than other hybrid powertrain technologies. Back in 2023, Nissan debuted the e-Power and claimed that it would arrive at a price point that reflects what many competitors offer with petrol power alone. The automaker claimed that it would be a huge win in terms of value proposition. However, now Nissan is backtracking on that. Auto News has quoted Shunichi Inamijima, Nissan's corporate executive in charge of powertrain and electric vehicle technology, saying that the new plan is to sell above the promised price tag, but only because of increased prices for materials that go into it. 'We still want to realise cost parity as soon as possible," Inamijima reportedly said. However, the Nissan official didn't reveal any timeline for the launch of this technology. Will Nissan bring e-Power technology to India? Nissan Motor India teased its upcoming products a few days ago, which include a compact SUV and a B-segment seven-seater MPV. The auto company had first revealed both products in March 2025. The company noted that the new MPV is scheduled to launch in 2025 as a brand-new addition to the India product portfolio. Meanwhile, the five-seater C-SUV (compact sports utility vehicle) will be launched in early 2026. The SUV will compete with the likes of Hyundai Creta, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Skoda Kushaq and others. Nissan Motor India said that it is on target to have four products by FY26 for Indian customers in the B/C and D-SUV segments. In the meantime, the MPV will compete with the Renault Triber. Considering the higher cost of the e-Power technology, it is unlikely that Nissan would introduce this system into the upcoming models that have already been confirmed for India launch. However, in future, if the market evolves to the right condition for the brand, we may see Nissan bringing this technology to the Indian passenger vehicle market. Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2024, Best SUVs in India. First Published Date: 27 May 2025, 10:23 AM IST
Japan Today
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Japan Today
Troubled automaker Nissan banks on hybrid EV technology
Reporters try out Nissan's e-Power electrification technology on the current Qashqai model at the company's Grandrive facility in Yokosuka on Monday. By Yuri Kageyama Money-losing Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Corp is banking on its latest 'e-Power' technology for a turnaround. A kind of hybrid, e-Power comes equipped with both an electric motor and gasoline engine, much like the Toyota Motor Corp Prius. It's different from a Prius in that it doesn't switch back and forth between the motor and engine during the drive. That means the car always is running on its EV battery, ensuring a quiet, smooth ride. 'Nissan has a proud history of pioneering innovative technology that set us apart,' Chief Technology Officer Eiichi Akashi told reporters on the sidelines of a test drive at its Grandrive course outside Tokyo. The advantage of e-Power vehicles is that they never need to be charged like EVs do. The owner just fuels up at a gas station and the car never runs out of a charge. Nissan, which racked up a 670.9 billion net loss for the fiscal year through March, sorely needs a hot-seller, especially in the lucrative North American market. But the U.S. market is proving a big headache for all the Japanese automakers because of President Donald Trump's tariff policies. To achieve a turnaround, Nissan is working on reducing costs, strengthening business partnerships and redefining its lineup. That's where e-Power fits in, according to Akashi. Yokohama-based Nissan announced earlier this month that it's slashing about 15% of its global work force, or about 20,000 employees, and reducing the number of its auto plants to 10 from 17, under an ambitious recovery plan led by its new Chief Executive Ivan Espinosa. Nissan officials did not give a price for the upcoming e-Power models. The only other automaker offers a similar technology is 'kei,' or tiny car manufacturer Suzuki Motor Corp. E-Power is already offered on the Nissan Qashqai and X-Trail model in Europe, and the Note in Japan. The upgraded version will be offered in the new Rogue in the U.S. Nissan, a pioneer in EVs with its Leaf, which went on sale in 2010, is also preparing beefed up EV models. It's also working on a solid-state battery which is expected to replace the lithium-ion batteries now widely used in hybrids, EVs and e-Power models. Analysts say Nissan is in danger of running out of cash and needs a partner. Speculation is rife its Yokohama headquarters building will get sold, or one of its Japan plants will be turned into a casino. Nissan started talks last year with Japanese rival Honda Motor Co. for a business integration but announced in February that it was dropping the talks. © 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
The Mainichi
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Mainichi
Japan's troubled automaker Nissan banks on hybrid EV technology
YOKOSUKA, Japan (AP) -- Money-losing Japanese automaker Nissan is banking on its latest "e-Power" technology for a turnaround. A kind of hybrid, e-Power comes equipped with both an electric motor and gasoline engine, much like the Toyota Motor Corp. Prius. It's different from a Prius in that it doesn't switch back and forth between the motor and engine during the drive. That means the car always is running on its EV battery, ensuring a quiet, smooth ride. "Nissan has a proud history of pioneering innovative technology that set us apart," Chief Technology Officer Eiichi Akashi told reporters on the sidelines of a test drive at its Grandrive course outside Tokyo. The advantage of e-Power vehicles is that they never need to be charged like EVs do. The owner just fuels up at a gas station and the car never runs out of a charge. Nissan Motor Corp., which racked up a $4.5 billion loss for the fiscal year through March, sorely needs a hot-seller, especially in the lucrative North American market. But the U.S. market is proving a big headache for all the Japanese automakers because of President Donald Trump's tariff policies. To achieve a turnaround, Nissan is working on reducing costs, strengthening business partnerships and redefining its lineup. That's where e-Power fits in, according to Akashi. Yokohama-based Nissan announced earlier this month that it's slashing about 15% of its global work force, or about 20,000 employees, and reducing the number of its auto plants to 10 from 17, under an ambitious recovery plan led by its new Chief Executive Ivan Espinosa. Nissan officials did not give a price for the upcoming e-Power models. The only other automaker offers a similar technology is "kei," or tiny car manufacturer Suzuki Motor Corp. E-Power is already offered on the Nissan Qashqai and X-Trail model in Europe, and the Note in Japan. The upgraded version will be offered in the new Rogue in the U.S. Nissan, a pioneer in EVs with its Leaf, which went on sale in 2010, is also preparing beefed up EV models. It's also working on a solid-state battery which is expected to replace the lithium-ion batteries now widely used in hybrids, EVs and e-Power models. Analysts say Nissan is in danger of running out of cash and needs a partner. Speculation is rife its Yokohama headquarters building will get sold, or one of its Japan plants will be turned into a casino. Nissan started talks last year with Japanese rival Honda Motor Co. for a business integration but announced in February that it was dropping the talks.
