Nissan Kicks e-POWER: The Practical EV Alternative?
Many people see range extenders hybrids/BEV as vehicles that offer the best of both worlds. They offer the flexibility of being refueled in under 5 minutes yet offer the same benefits of an EV such as better torque, efficiency, and lower noise pollution.
Unlike regular hybrids, range extenders function like a traditional EV due to their electric motor and battery pack. But once the charge is depleted or there is insufficient electricity to power the vehicle, the internal combustion engine kicks in to help generate the electricity needed.
Nissan is one of several manufacturers working on improving the technology and making it more affordable for mass production. It is being seen as a way of rejuvenating the waning popularity of traditional electric vehicles.
The company has its own range extender/BEV system, which it calls e-POWER and is gearing up to launch the Kick e-POWER vehicle in December 2024, a compact SUV with the capability to shake up the EV market.
It has 1.2-litre, three cylinder petrol engine that drives the generator, which creates electricity to charge the battery pack. Unlike a traditional ICE vehicle, there’s no need for a transmission and the engine is not linked to the wheels. All it does is charge the battery as needed.
Since it doesn’t need to accelerate or drive the vehicle, the engine speed can be kept within its optimal operating window. This allows it to deliver peak power when needed, allowing for constant electricity production to charge the batteries.
Nissan e-POWER is built on 70 years of EV heritage and offers all the benefits of a modern EV but without the need for plug-in charging. The motor delivers 95kW power and 280Nm of torque that is available the moment the accelerator pedal is pressed.
That said, the petrol engine isn’t the only way the Kicks e-POWER generates electricity, it also has regenerative braking. Here, instead of traditional brakes being used to slow the car down, the electric motor steps in and converts the rotation of the wheels into electricity to recharge the batteries.
Like ICE vehicles, EVs and BEVs are still equipped with conventional brakes but they work in tandem with regenerative braking. When you step on the brake pedal, the motor works to reduce the speed of the vehicle. But if the braking needs exceed its ability, the conventional brakes activate to apply more braking power.
That said, regenerative braking is a brake assist feature that activates the moment you take your foot off the accelerator pedal. This immediately slows said vehicle down reducing the need to use the actual brake pedal.
This allows for one pedal driving, allowing the driver to modulate the use of the throttle pedal to accelerate and maintain speed and slow down. Once he/she lifts off, the regenerative brakes step in scrub off speed.
These three systems work together constantly to deliver the most efficient use of power and momentum available to the vehicle. As such, Nissan says that the Kicks e-POWER is able to achieve extremely good fuel efficiency of 4.7l/100km.
We will know more about the Nissan Kicks e-POWER in December when the vehicle is officially launched. Could it help redeem the image of the EV, which has been marred by practicality issues?
