Nissan Motors plans to launch a new type of hybrid vehicle in the United States market that offers a driving experience like an electric vehicle, yet draws power for its motor from a traditional gasoline-powered engine.
The upcoming line of hybrid vehicles from Nissan Motor has been designated as “e-POWER”; consequently, all vehicles launched utilising the hybrid system will bear the e-POWER designation.
What exactly is the e-Power hybrid system of Nissan?
In the upcoming e-POWER series of vehicles that Nissan Motors is set to introduce in the US, both an electric motor and an engine will be available. The engine will function as a generator to power the electric motor, thereby providing the driver with a driving experience akin to that of an electric vehicle.
Many people mistakenly assume that the engine in Nissan Motors’ upcoming E-POWER hybrid vehicles will be responsible for propelling the entire vehicle; however, this is not the case. Its sole function will be to supply power to the electric motor, and it is the motor that will drive the entire vehicle.
Nissan’s upcoming hybrid vehicles in the e-Power series will operate as emerging extended-range electric vehicles. They will feature a smaller battery that does not require external charging; instead, the onboard engine in these upcoming models will function solely to keep the battery charged, which in turn powers the electric motor.
When can we get to see Nissan’s vehicle on the e-POWER hybrid system in the United States?
It is expected that Nissan Motors will utilise this new hybrid technology in the next-generation Nissan Rogue, which is scheduled to be unveiled in the United States at the end of 2026. Sales for this model could commence in the first quarter of 2027, although the official confirmation is yet to come from Nissan.
Why is Nissan going to use the e-POWER hybrid system in its upcoming vehicles in the US?
There are multiple reasons behind Nissan Motor’s use of the e-POWER hybrid system in its upcoming vehicles in the US, which we have discussed below.
Less EV adoption than expected:
- A major reason for this is that EV adoption in the US is progressing much more slowly than expected, as people still harbour concerns regarding charging infrastructure, driving range, and high upfront costs before making the switch to electric vehicles.
- To address this very issue, Nissan Motors has devised a middle-ground solution: the e-POWER hybrid system, which offers the driving sensation of an EV without the associated concerns regarding charging and range.
Losing Money:
- Over the past few years, Nissan Motors has incurred losses amounting to billions of dollars on its investments in electric vehicles, primarily because battery costs are prohibitively high while sales have fallen short of expectations.
- In contrast, the e-Power hybrid vehicles that the company is preparing to introduce to the market are considerably cheaper to manufacture compared to EVs and also tend to generate robust sales figures.
Fuel Price & Efficiency:
- People have numerous concerns regarding the purchase of EVs, yet operating petrol-powered vehicles also proves to be quite costly as fuel prices continue to rise.
- With both these factors in mind, Nissan Motors has developed the e-POWER hybrid system, which delivers excellent mileage, exceeding 40 mpg.
Market Trend:
- Over the past two years, the United States has witnessed a surge in hybrid vehicle sales. While the figure stood at 7.53% in 2023, it rose to 12.6% in 2024 and reached 16.7% in 2025; current projections suggest that by 2026, this figure will climb to 20%.
- In light of this trend, Nissan Motors has formulated a plan to launch vehicles featuring its e-Power hybrid system in the U.S. market, with expectations that it will soon establish a strong foothold.
Have vehicles equipped with the Nissan e-Power hybrid system been launched in any other countries?
Beyond the US, Nissan Motors has launched its e-POWER hybrid vehicles in at least 68 markets worldwide. Globally, production units for this technology exceed 1.5 million.
It is not a new technology, but rather something new specifically for the United States market, as Nissan had not previously introduced this type of vehicle in that region.
Nissan Motors had refrained from launching vehicles equipped with this hybrid system in the U.S. market because, at the time, the technology did not yet fully meet the expectations of American consumers regarding driving dynamics and power output.
However, the company has now developed a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged engine, which is set to be utilised in the e-POWER hybrid vehicles destined for the US market.
