by Nissan prepares new hybrids for North America
Nissan plans to introduce new hybrid vehicles to the North American market. Initially, the company promised that their price would be on par with conventional gasoline models, but due to rising material costs, the hybrids will be more expensive than expected.
Nissan’s hybrid system, known as e-Power, has been sold in other regions for a long time. It uses a gasoline engine as a generator to charge the battery, which in turn powers the wheels. This solution, similar to that used in diesel trains, will be a novelty for the mass US car market.
Why have prices increased?
Nissan representative Shunichi Inamijima explained that the increase in material costs forced the company to revise its pricing policy.
“We still strive to achieve cost parity, but it is currently impossible,” he noted.
Exact timelines for when Nissan hybrids will become more affordable have not yet been announced.
When to expect the novelty?
The new hybrid version of the Rogue crossover will appear in North America no earlier than 2027. Although the e-Power system provides 9-15% better fuel efficiency compared to previous generations, the small battery (1.8 kWh) means the engine will have to be used quite often.
Nissan’s technical director, Eiichi Akashi, emphasized that the main advantage of e-Power is the driving experience, similar to an electric vehicle, but without the need to charge a large battery. However, the success of this technology in the US market will largely depend on its final price and consumer perception.
