The electrification of the automotive sector is causing headaches for all brands. Giving shape to the technologies that make it up is not easy and even less economical. And it happens that any model that uses this lesson to move is sold at a prohibitive price. Therefore, finding the balance point between cost and selling price is very necessary if brands do not want to sink. And it looks like Nissan is about to get there.
As you know, Nissan was one of the first brands to mass-produce an electric vehicle. The Nissan Leaf, the world’s first mass-selling electric vehicle, hit the road in December 2010. Although it has now been overtaken by other companies, its milestones will still be there. Its latest development is an exclusive e-POWER electrified powertrain, which uses its EV technology, and which provides the same driving pleasure as an electric vehicle because it is 100% motorized.
Today, the Japanese company introduced its new approach to electrified powertrain development, called “X-in-1”, which is expected to deliver significant cost savings. In line with this approach, major components of the EV and e-POWER powertrains will be shared and modularized, resulting in a 30% reduction in development and manufacturing costs by 2026, compared to 2019 figures.
At the heart of this strategy is a two-pronged approach, through which Nissan aims to further increase the competitiveness of its electric and e-POWER vehicles. First, Nissan has developed a prototype 3-in-1 powertrain, which modularizes the motor, inverter and gearbox, and which is intended to equip 100% electric cars. And a 5-in-1 prototype, which also modulates the generator and booster, is planned for use in e-POWER vehicles.
The X-in-1 approach, encompassing 3-in-1, 5-in-1 and other possible variants, was developed to allow the basic components of EVs and e-POWER to be produced on the same line.
The X-in-1 approach to developing electrified powertrains offers the following benefits:
- Sharing and modularizing major components improves production efficiency and reduces powertrain costs by approximately 30% compared to 2019. Nissan aims to achieve e-POWER price parity with ICE vehicles around 2026
- Reducing unit size and weight improves ride performance and minimizes noise and vibration.
- Adopting a newly developed motor which reduces the use of heavy rare earth elements to 1% or less of the magnet weight.
- The sharing of major components and control technology provides an enjoyable driving experience unique to Nissan electric vehicles.
This is another of the measures adopted by the Japanese brand as part of the Nissan Ambition 2030 program, according to which it will accelerate electrification in Europe with the launch of 27 new electrified models, including 19 EVs, by fiscal year 2030. .
