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Nissan reveals all-new approach to their EV and e-POWER powertrain development

Nissan plans to make their EV and e-POWER powertrains more competitive through its X-in-1 approach.

Jerome Tresvalles on Mar 13, 2023

In 2010, Nissan became the first automaker to mass-market an electric vehicle, the Nissan LEAF. Nissan’s EV achieved worldwide acclaim and was the world’s best-selling plug-in electric car until 2019. In 2020, Nissan brought out the Nissan Kicks e-POWER a series hybrid SUV that features the e-POWER system that uses internal combustion to charge its batteries and power its electric motors.

Since then, Nissan has been making moves to improve its electrification technologies, keeping its ear on the ground and learning from its EV customers around the world.

On March 9, 2023, Nissan unveiled its new approach to electrified powertrain development called X-in-1. Under this new approach, core EV and e-POWER powertrain components will be shared and modularized. According to Nissan, this will result in a 30% reduction in development and manufacturing costs by 2026, compared to 2019.

Related: Nissan LEAF prices will get slashed - Nissan PH President

Through Nissan’s X-in-1 approach, the brand aims to further its EV and e-POWER vehicles competitiveness With that goal in mind, Nissan developed a 3-in-1 powertrain prototype, which modularizes the motor, inverter, and reducer, which is planned for use in EVs. In addition to the 3-in-1 prototype, Nissan also has a 5-in-1 prototype, which additionally modularizes the generator and increaser, and is planned for use in e-POWER vehicles.

As an added benefit, Nissan’s X-in-1 approach, which covers 3-in-1, 5-in-1, and other possible variants, has been developed to produce EV and e-POWER core components on the same line.

According to Nissan, the X-in-1 approach to electrified powertrain development provides the following benefits:

Sharing and modularizing core components improve production efficiencies and reduce powertrain costs by approximately 30% compared to 2019. Nissan aims to achieve e-POWER price parity with ICE vehicles by around 2026
Size and weight reduction of the unit improves vehicle driving performance and minimizes noise and vibration
Adopt a newly developed motor that reduces the use of heavy rare earth elements to 1% or less of magnet weight
The sharing of core components and control technology provides the enjoyable driving experience unique to Nissan EVs

“We make the most of our expertise and know-how from our more-than-a-decade-long development and production of electrified technologies. Through our innovations in electrified powertrain development, we’ll continue to create new value for customers and deliver 100% motor-driven vehicles – EVs and e-POWER – as widely as possible.”

Toshihiro Hirai
Nissan Senior Vice President

Under its long-term vision, Nissan Ambition 2030, the brand aims to introduce 27 new electrified models, including 19 EVs, by the fiscal year 2030, effectively bolstering its lineup. With the recent tax break for EVs here in the Philippines and Nissan’s plan to make their electric powertrains more affordable, will Nissan’s EVs be more affordable in the future?