Category: Nissan Electric Vehicles
Nissan Leads The Way In Hybrid Technology
Posted by Group1 Nissan on 25 Jan 2023
Nissan’s Hybrid Technology Takes A Giant Leap Forward
Nissan has always been at the forefront of automotive innovation and their commitment to hybrid technology is no exception. The company has been researching and developing hybrid powertrain technology for many years, resulting in the market-leading Nissan e-Power hybrid system. This combines a petrol engine and an electric motor to provide superior fuel economy and a smooth ride while reducing carbon emissions. Let’s take a closer look at Nissan’s latest hybrid technology innovations and how they could redefine the meaning of eco-friendly performance cars.
Nissan’s New e-Power Hybrid Technology
Nissan’s new and improved e-Power hybrid technology is a testament to the fact that electric motors are not going anywhere. The latest update in the automotive world is that Australian motorists now have the option of purchasing hybrid models for both the Nissan X-Trail and Qashqai cars. For front-wheel drive, the Qashqai is a great option while the X-Trail gets Nissan’s ‘e-4orce AWD’ system with an additional motor on its rear axle.
The electric motors in both of these new incredible hybrid SUVs actually drive the wheels while the petrol engine is essentially the generator. One of the many benefits of this kind of hybrid technology is modifying the handling balance by changing each motor’s torque. In simple terms, more power at the front leads to understeer while more power at the back causes oversteer and a perfect combination in-between produces neutrality – something highly beneficial for drivers.
By individually controlling the extent of regenerative braking at both front and rear, Nissan claims that it can maintain a more level position to prevent an abrupt nose dive due to any type of deceleration. The automaker additionally states that its twin-motor system is faster than conventional all-wheel drive systems in distributing power from side to side and front to rear.
Upcoming Nismo Performance Car Using Hybrid Technology
With the release of the two hybrid SUVs in Australia, it’s clear that Nissan is continuing to push boundaries when it comes to green technology. Now, they have announced another exciting development: a new Nismo performance car with hybrid power that could indirectly be a successor to the all-impressive and highly esteemed Nissan GT-R.
While Z-cars are not a common sight in countries with strict emissions policies, Nissan has confirmed that this new exciting hybrid performance car will meet emissions requirements and could go on sale as early as 2030 in the U.S., UK and Europe. This move further cements Nissan’s position as one of the leading automakers when it comes to cutting-edge hybrid technology.
Takao Katagiri, Nissan Nismo CEO, confirmed that this upcoming car will have a hybrid powertrain but also hinted at a combination of EV and hybrid models. Such amalgamation is hoped to revolutionise the market by providing drivers with a greater level of mobility.
Nissan’s Take On Researching Solid-State Batteries For EVs
Nissan executives had previously stated that any performance EVs will need solid-state batteries which are still largely in the early development stages. Richard Moore, strategy boss of the West Midlands Gigafactory said that “if the new car is to be viable in Europe, a hybrid option will be the most likely starting point.”
Nissan may be headed for a complete shift to electric powertrains but they are not quite there yet. François Bailly, the senior VP and chief planning officer of AMEIO (Africa, Middle East, India, Europe & Oceania) stated: “I would love to have an EV sports car, but we need to organise. We’re not ready to announce the sequence, but it’s clearly on the table.”
Nissan’s timeline for solid-state batteries gives us a glimpse into the future of electric vehicles designed with enthusiasts in mind. Research is well underway and plans are in place for a pilot factory in 2024 where the technology could be ready as early as 2026! From there, expect to see this technology used in the production of EVs from around 2028.
Nissan’s New e-4ORCE 04 Racer
Since Nissan is a major competitor in the Formula E championship and while they only finished 9th out of 11 constructors last season, the Japanese automaker is pinning its hopes on the new e-4orce 04 Racer. This new Formula E racer delivers 40% more power than its predecessor with a maximum speed of 320km/h with tremendous acceleration and grip.
With Formula E representing the apex of EV technology, this next-level series will bring about thrilling innovation and excitement on and off the track as car manufacturers are pulling out all the stops to deliver an EV racer that can compete with the very best. With the new e-4orce 04 Racer, Nissan hopes to achieve top results on the track and in the development of next-gen EV and hybrid technology.
In summary, Nissan has been among the top companies leading the proverbial change in the research and development of electric and hybrid technology. With the increasing demand for more sustainable transportation options, Nissan’s investment in hybrid technology is sure to pay off in the long term and have a positive impact on the environment. For more up-to-date motoring news from around the world, follow our blog!
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Nissan Unveils e-POWER Tech At Inaugural SA Auto Week
Posted by Group1 Nissan on 29 Nov 2022
Nissan recently introduced its e-POWER technology to South Africa at the inaugural South African Auto Week event, which was hosted by Naamsa Automotive Business Council from October 26 to 28, at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Midrand.
The South African Automotive Week is a for-industry, by-industry initiative that addresses the interests of the automotive manufacturing sector in South Africa, and the African continent at large. This premium networking and thought-leadership conference brought together the sector’s key stakeholders to drive engagement on the theme of ‘reimagining the future together – the rise of the African auto industry.
The Nissan team attended the exciting four-day event to showcase its newest vehicles and take part in panel discussions around sustainability and the future of the African automotive manufacturing sector.
“Our automotive sector is at the heart of Africa’s industrialisation and can play a vital part in the global electric vehicle (EV) value chain once the trade regime is enacted,” said Wamkele Mene, African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) secretary-general.
Automotive Week attendees were given the opportunity to test drive the all-new Nissan Qashqai e-POWER, the all-new third-generation model that offers smoother acceleration, as well as a responsive, efficient, and quiet drive.
According to Kabelo Rabotho, Country Director for Nissan SA, the fact that the Qashqai e-POWER delivers the unmistakable pleasure of electric driving without the need to recharge, which takes the stress out of urban driving and is bound to be a key lever in the practical transition from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles in the African context.
SA Auto Week guests also had the opportunity to experience the latest versions of classic Nissan models, including the locally produced and award-winning Nissan Navara. In total, Nissan’s Africa Regional Business Unit in Africa offers a range of 24 vehicles to 42 markets that serve retail and commercial customers in the region. South Africa serves as a light-commercial vehicle manufacturing hub for the region with its Rosslyn plant northwest of Pretoria producing the NP200, NP300, as well as the Nissan Navara.
We are proud to say that the Nissan SA team did us proud at the conference, contributing to various industry-building panel discussions and breakaway sessions focusing on sustainable business practices in the industry. We look forward to seeing what exciting developments they will bring to us next.
To learn more about the Nissan models we currently have in stock on our Group1 Nissan floors in Kuils River, Stellenbosch, Uitenhage and Johannesburg, get in touch with our team. We offer a comprehensive range of new and used cars that can be brought to your door for a test drive. Let’s get you kitted out with innovation that excites you.
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Japanese Drivers First To Experience The Nissan Sakura E-Mini Vehicle
Posted by Group1 Nissan on 02 Aug 2022
Nissan Introduces Sakura E-Mini Vehicle In Japan
In another exciting first for the Nissan auto brand, the all-new Sakura electric mini vehicle was launched in Japan in May this year. This future-forward e-vehicle has been designed with the needs of busy city-dwellers in mind and was named for the beautiful Japanese cherry blossom.
Following in the impressive wake of the Nissan LEAF and Ariya, the Sakura is everything you need in an urban environment – compact, easy to manoeuvre with a 4.8-meter turning radius, yet spacious enough on the inside to be convenient for commuting and carrying family shopping. Here’s a look at the other amazing features that set this vehicle apart.
Advanced Driver Tech Comes Standard
According to Asako Hoshino, Nissan’s executive VP, the Sakura has also been kitted out with the latest, most innovative vehicle tech, including a ProPILOT automated system and advanced control technology. Thanks to all the advancements that were made during the development of the Nissan LEAF, the Sakura also has the quietest cabin in the entire mini vehicle class, making for a very pleasant drive.
Coming to the part with 47 kW and 195 Nm of torque, the mini-vehicle is zippy enough to meet the requirements of urban driving challenges like merging with fast-moving traffic on highways. Drivers also have the option of three different drive modes, namely Eco, Standard, and Sport. This means they are able to shift as they see fit in order to enjoy an optimal driving performance in different conditions, e.g. snowy streets or uneven terrain.
Plenty to Boast About Under the Hood
Other notable features of the all-new Nissan Sakura e-vehicle includes:
- An e-Pedal Step which charges the Sakura’s battery thanks to regenerative braking
- A state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery with stacked cells for a compact fit
- A range of 180 km
- The ability to use the car battery as a mobile power source in emergencies
- ProPILOT Park that controls steering, acceleration, braking, and shifting while parking
- A 7-inch Advanced Drive-Assist Display meter and a large 9-inch navigation display
- Strong, sophisticated exterior design with a spacious interior designed for ergonomic comfort
Now you know! Check back soon for more insider info on all the exciting happenings in the Nissan camp.
The post Japanese Drivers First To Experience The Nissan Sakura E-Mini Vehicle appeared first on Nissan Blog at Group1.
Still The Cheapest EV After 13 Years – The Nissan LEAF
Posted by Group1 Nissan on 11 Jul 2022
The Affordable EV Still Going After 13 Years – Nissan LEAF
It seems as if everyone and his dog are launching new electric vehicles all the time. But in the middle of this hurly-burly, there is one constant – the venerable Nissan LEAF launched 13 years ago as the first affordable EV.
The Nissan LEAF is still the most affordable EV in America, with the base model LEAF S coming in at $28 895 (around R476 000) including a delivery fee and less a government subsidy of $7 500.
There is a feeling that the LEAF may be getting to the end of its life, at least in its current form. Nissan USA has reduced the five trim levels to just two: the base model S mentioned above and the range-topping SV Plus at $36 895.
The two cars are quite different. The base S model has a 40-kWh battery with a range of 240km, while the SV Plus has a 60-kWh battery with a range of 341km. It also comes standard with Nissan’s excellent ProPilot Assist driver-assistance suite that combines adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping technology.
The 2023 LEAF also gets a looks update, with the grille losing a chrome accent line and getting a backlit Nissan logo. This, together with the tweaked headlights softens the V-theme so prominent up to now.
Rumours emerged last year that Nissan has plans to replace the LEAF with an electric SUV around 2025. Nissan already has a second-generation EV SUV – the Ariya – on its way to dealerships after being sold out before it reached US ports. But the LEAF replacement will be more affordable – who knows, it may even be a LEAF SUV? Time will tell.
Nissan Ariya
The Nissan Ariya is Nissan’s answer to the crowd of top-end EVs coming to market. Currently, there are four models, each with an 87-kWh battery, which gives the base trim level a range of 483km. These cars start at $45 950.
Five more affordable Ariya models are planned with a 63-kWh battery and starting at around $40 000.
Battery Costs
The biggest chunk of cost in an EV is the battery pack. Although this cost has come down with volume, current manufacturing practice and battery technology have reached a plateau. Nissan is investing heavily in new battery technology, including the holy grail of solid-state batteries. Current projections suggest the company could reach a cost of $65 per kW/h, which will give it price parity with internal combustion vehicles. And that would be the end of ICE.
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Pole To Pole Down The Americas In A Nissan Ariya Electric Vehicle
Posted by Group1 Nissan on 29 Jun 2022
Nissan Ariya EV will embark on a world-first expedition through the Americas
Fun fact: there are no penguins in the Arctic and there are no polar bears in Antarctica. Not yet, although if a bear could convince a chap called Chris Ramsey to give it a lift, this may change. You see, Ramsey is an extreme adventurer like Bear Grylls, except he drives and prefers drinking tea. Ramsey is planning the first drive from the magnetic North Pole to the magnetic South Pole via North, Central and South America. Why?
Why? Because it has never been done before. Because it involves driving the full range of extreme conditions – vast distances, freezing cold, snow and ice. Baking deserts and hot, damp jungles. Salt pans and some of the most rugged and dangerous mountains on earth. 27 000 kilometres of testing terrain – consider that the circumference of the earth is 40 075km. And Ramsey will do this in a Nissan Ariya electric vehicle. Why?
He is doing it in the Ariya to show the ‘yes but’ crowd that EVs are not little fragile rich persons’ runabouts that can take you to the mall and back before needing an overnight charge.
If anyone is qualified for this quest, it is Ramsey. He has undertaken various EV adventures over the last ten years. In 2017, for example, Ramsey and his wife Julie became the first team to complete the gruelling Mongol Rally in an all-electric vehicle. This gruelling rally is 13 000km long across 13 countries and over hectic terrain. They used their specially modified Nissan Leaf AT-EV (all-terrain electric vehicle), which they had to recharge 111 times at a cost of around R2000.
For the Pole to Pole adventure Ramsey is using a modified Nissan Ariya e-4ORCE. The Ariya is Nissan’s first all-electric SUV and e-4FORCE is Nissan’s most advanced all-wheel technology. It accurately manages power output and braking performance for smoothness and stability. This increases driver confidence by tracing the intended driving line over a variety of road surfaces, including wet and snowy roads, without having to change the driving style. The modifications include a more rugged exterior, upgraded wheels, tyres and suspension. Interestingly enough, Ramsey’s support vehicle will be a completely standard Nissan Ariya e-4ORCE.
This is a major commitment for both Ramsey and Nissan. Apart from the fun and wow factor of seeing someone attempting something so over-the-top, it also has a real-world goal of supporting Nissan Ambition 2030, the company’s long-term vision around electrification as a central focus. If Ramsey completes all or even most of this quest, it will firmly establish EVS as an exciting and very capable vehicle that can provide most of our mobility needs going forward.
Keep up with Nissan news, launches and other exciting events by subscribing to our blog.
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Japanese Local Government Teams Up With Nissan In Green Drive
Posted by Group1 Nissan on 13 May 2022
Nissan works with local government to help Japanese cities
Efforts to reduce carbon emissions are fragile flowers in a desert wasteland, isolated spots of brightness growing unconnected in a harsh landscape. An electric vehicle here, some solar there, five windmills on a lonely hill. For the rest, it’s burn baby, burn, seemingly careless masses burning fossil fuels as if it did not matter.
But the problem is not ignorance or carelessness, it is a lack of choice. Take South Africa: even if you do care about the environment, you are stuck with Eskom and its coal burners. That is because energy use is a mass activity and changing how we do this requires the will of the community backed by opportunity, technology and knowledge.
As an example of how this could work, let’s turn to Japan and the Decarbonisation Support Partnership for Local Governments. The aim is to decarbonise, the target audience is 492 local governments that represent 110 million people at the most basic level, and the support is provided by tech giants Nissan and two other Japanese companies called Sumitomo Corporation and Sumitomo Mitsui Auto Services. The target is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
The big obstacle in Japan, as in South Africa, is the lack of knowledge about how to introduce and use renewable energy, and the personnel to implement it. The three participating companies will supply the knowledge, with a focus on mobility and energy.
Mobility – Local transportation will be made more efficient by introducing EVs and creating car-sharing infrastructure for use by residents, local businesses and local government facilities.
Energy – The partners will help set up power generation by renewable means.
Resilience – Under the umbrella of the Department of the Environment, the trading of renewable power will be set up. This will strengthen the system – in our case, like sunny Koekenaap selling excess electricity to Cape Town on a rainy day, while PE can probably supply half of South Africa with wind power pretty much all the time.
Part of Nissan’s contribution comes from its Blue Switch project, where power can be pulled from parked EVs during peak times, and an initiative where old EV batteries are restored and used in power banks for peak times.
Sumitomo Auto specialises in car leasing and fleet management, which means it can switch a massive number of cars from ICE to EV and efficiently manage this fleet.
Given what the climate is doing right now, 2050 seems a bit far into the future and it is. However, this Partnership is among the first to go green at a very large community level and will surely create a model for other communities and countries around the world.
Nissan is not only a major car company but a global leader that uses technology for positive outcomes. You can keep up with Nissan news by subscribing to our blog.
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Nissan Ariya EV Receives iF Design Award In Germany
Posted by Group1 Nissan on 09 May 2022
Nissan at the International Forum Design Awards
The new stunning and future-ready Nissan Ariya electric crossover has won the iF Design Award in Germany. It shares the prestigious accolade with the Nissan Pavilion after a jury of experts comprehensively evaluated both using five specific criteria: idea, form, function, differentiation and impact.
What Is The iF Design Award?
The iF International Forum Design GmbH in Hannover, Germany, launched the iF design award in 1954 and has since become one of the world’s most prestigious design honours. In this year’s competition, an independent jury with 132 design experts evaluated 10,776 products and projects from 57 different countries.
The iF Design Award aims to recognise and publicise exceptional designs. This year’s awards were based on nine categories:
- product design
- communication
- packaging
- service design
- concepts
- architecture
- interior design
- user experience (UX)
- user interface (UI)
A jury of 50 manufacturers and designers of various industrial products selected the winners based on aesthetics, functionality, quality, ergonomics, durability, and innovation. The product design category saw around 7,900 entries from roughly 60 countries.
All Eyes On The Nissan Ariya EV
The Nissan Ariya electric crossover was recognised for its exceptional innovation as an EV and high-quality design which highlights Nissan’s unique concept of “Timeless Japanese Futurism”.
The stylish Nissan Ariya combines Nissan’s expertise in electric vehicles with all the latest connected technologies. This marks the next chapter in the Nissan EV story which looks set on making history. In addition to the stunning exterior, the Nissan Ariya also offers powerful acceleration and a smooth, quiet ride. The interior is synonymous with a living room by providing a warm welcome and comfortable environment for the driver and passengers.
The innovative Nissan Ariya crossover SUV is the result of Nissan’s incredible expertise in electric vehicles. While packed with some of the most advanced technologies, it employs simple but modern styling that sets this EV apart from the rest.
The Nissan Pavilion And The Future Of Mobility
The Nissan Pavilion first opened in 2020 for a limited time where visitors could immerse themselves in the future of mobility. The building’s shape and the new Nissan logo represent Nissan’s idea that if you have a strong belief, it might even penetrate the sun. During the digital world premiere, the Nissan Ariya also adorned the new logo which was unveiled at the Nissan Pavilion.
Nissan has long been a leader in sustainable mobility solutions and wants to build a cleaner society. They want to become carbon neutral through the entire vehicle lifecycle and general operations by 2050 which comes from decades of research and development into programmes to help reduce emissions. Providing electric vehicle technologies that benefit the environment and society, including the Nissan Ariya, is but one glorious example.
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Solid-State Batteries For Nissan Electric Vehicles
Posted by Group1 Nissan on 29 Apr 2022
Nissan solid state batteries for EVs
Like everybody else, Nissan is betting the farm on solid-state battery technology and has now released projected timelines and probable cost per kilowatt-hour. The timeline is 2028 and the cost is $75, projected to drop to $65 not long after that.
Very few people can define what $65 per kilowatt-hour is, but it is a magical number. If you can build an electric vehicle (EV) at that price, you will reach price parity with similar internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and the biggest obstacle EVs face – cost – will fall away. To give you an idea, the average cost per kWh in 2021 was $132. This means last year an EV cost twice as much as a similar ICE vehicle.
This high purchase price is a barrier to most people, even though the running costs are a fraction of ICE, while the performance of an EV is way better. Dedicated EVs are also more efficiently laid out, because the batteries can form a flat floor and the motors are much smaller and can be fitted on the axle or even next to the wheel, negating the clutter of drive shafts and heavy gearboxes.
The big prize is solid-state, which is lighter and has an energy density double that of conventional lithium-ion batteries, which means you can more than halve the batteries to get the same result. A lighter car, as Lotus so ably demonstrated, will be quicker and better handling and go further than its heavier brothers.
Solid-state takes far less time to charge than current batteries because of its superior charge/discharge performance. The lower costs are because solid-state can use cheaper materials like graphite and glass. So why are we not all using these wonderful things?
The technology is incredibly complex, including the tendency to form spiky lithium build-up called dendrites. These can cause short-circuiting.
Nissan sees this technology maturation to be closer to 2030 than 2025, but it is building steadily on its solid foundation of pioneering EV battery technology. It will build a pilot production line at its Yokohama plant, almost a popup factory, to develop the design and manufacturing processes needed for solid-state.
Interestingly, all the Japanese carmakers are keeping this tech development in-house, while the Europeans and Americans are using tech start-ups for this. Everybody is chasing the same result, each using a different path.
The reason this is the hot motoring quest is two-fold: cheaper EVs will open the market to a vast new pool of car buyers, and a better performing battery will bring current EV-owners flocking to your doors.
Nissan is the first carmaker to clearly lay out its timelines and the path to meet this tech challenge. Keep up with Nissan’s technology and new models by subscribing to our blog.
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