Pure-combustion cars and e-Power hybrids will cost the same by 2026, says the firm
FELIX PAGE
Nissan aims for its hybrids to cost the same as its pure-combustion cars in around three years’ time thanks to a cheaper and more efficient new approach to electrified drivetrain development.
The car maker has revamped its powertrain development process, which will see EV and e-Power hybrid drivetrain parts shared and modularised. This, it says, will slash production costs by 30% compared with 2019 levels by 2026.
There are two strains of this new approach: the 3-in-1 model packages the motor, inverter and reducer components together in one system for use in pure EVs, while the 5-in-1 prototype adds a generator and increaser for use in e-Power hybrids.
This new system allows core components of all electrified drivetrains to run down the same production line.
Nissan currently sells two pure-electric cars globally (the Nissan Leaf and Nissan Ariya) and e-Power-badged hybrid versions of the Nissan Qashqai, Nissan X-Trail and Japan-only Note hatchback, in each of which a petrol engine serves as a generator for an electric motor that drives the wheels.
By streamlining production for these electric drive units, Nissan aims to achieve price parity between e-Power cars and their pure-ICE counterparts by “around” 2026.
Currently, the Nissan Qashqai e-Power starts – in Acenta Premium trim – from £33,875 in the UK, compared with £29,530 for the mild-hybrid petrol car in the same grade. The premium commanded by the Nissan X-Trail e-Power is less stark, at £35,865 compared with £34,075 for the standard mild-hybrid car.
The suggestion is that this price gap could be eradicated over the next three years, although Nissan has not sai
