Waikato Business News November/December 2022

26 MOTORING
WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS, NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022
WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS, NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022
e-Power tech a viable alternative to hybrids
ELECTRIC MOTOR CHARGED BY PETROL-FUELLED ENGINE
Dean Taylor
In 2016, Nissan launched
anew type of engine that
blends hybrid and electric
capabilities. Last year it
was announced it was coming
to Australia, and this month
Nissan said the new X-Trail
and Qashqai for New Zealand
in 2023 with have e-Power.
But e-Power is already
available here—electric car
specialists Hamilton EV
imports the Nissan e-Note and
Nissan Kicks.
e-Power is an electric
motor charged by a 1.2-litre,
three cylinder petrol-fuelled
engine, effectively a generator
merging the driving experience
of an electric car with a petrol
machine’s ease of ownership.
Nissan claims “e-Power is a
true EV solution”.
At its core is the same
100 per cent electric motordriven
technology used in the
Nissan Leaf to deliver instant
torque, power, efficiency and
excitement.
In high-power-demand
situations, such as strong
acceleration, the petrol engine
and generator are used to keep
the battery pack charged and
can directly power the electric
motor.
The new option is popular
in Japan, where it is commonly
found in small cars such as the
Nissan Note.
It was a low-mileage 2021
Nissan e-Note I drove—a
completely capable hatch, with
amazing power, smoothness
and quietness, without the
worry of “going flat”.
Unlike a conventional
hybrid, there is no mechanical
link between the petrol engine
and the wheels.
Owners refuel the car at
conventional petrol service
stations as opposed to electric
car charging points.
I joked I was driving a
Datsun 1200—the car that
served my wife and me well
when we were first married.
But this new “Datsun
1200” was no comparison
to a standard ICE vehicle,
especially an old-school one.
For a start, even though
modern ICE cars are pretty
fuel efficient, it is pretty hard
to beat 20-30km/litre of fuel
in a vehicle with so much get
up and go. To be fair, if you
use that get up and go too
much, the fuel goes as well. But
drive properly and economy is
fantastic.
I averaged about 26km/
litre over three days—that’s
3.8l/100km in today’s fuel
efficiency language. My best
was a trip at 3l/100km.
And that was with climate
control and sounds operating—
nothing special to save fuel.
Hamilton EV describes the
technology as Series Electric
and agree it is a way to get
into EV driving, without range
anxiety.
For some,who might live
remotely, travel long distances
or not want to be held up
at charging stations, it is a
completely viable alternative
to hybrid—and possibly a
better drive.
There is no plug-in option,
but I guess that adds weight
and cost.
The e-Note itself is a handysized
vehicle and good looking.
It probably wouldn’t serve
as a people mover, but for
two people, a small amount
of luggage, shopping trips
or the around-town car it is
completely perfect.
My one also had a sports
package—mostly about the
looks I’m guessing, so it did
look cool in some eyes, but
wasn’t completely practical as
the front spoiler was ground
hugging.
But Hamilton EV has a
good range of the e-Note and
Kicks in store—there’s one that
would suit.
As part of the deal, Hamilton
EV has comprehensive car
manuals translated into
English, and also update
software in the vehicles for
Kiwi conditions.
0800 31 32 33
www.hamiltonev.co.nz