Has Nissan just cracked the code to cheaper EVs?

Nissan says a new manufacturing process will deliver price parity between EVs and ICE cars sooner rather than later, with the brand promising its e-Power technology will cost no more than a petrol option by around 2026.

The Nissan X-Trail e-Power with e4ORCE only recently launched in Australia – the first time the technology has been offered here – and carries a $4200 premium when compared to an ICE-powered model.

But that said, e4ORCE – which adds an extra electric motor at the rear axle – also adds cost. In the UK, a like for like 2WD comparison sees electrification add around 2000 pounds to the sticker price. Nissan is promising to remove that premium “by around 2026”.

It will do it by streamlining the production process, and through the sharing of more modular powertrain parts, between models, in a strategy the brand calls “X-in-1”.

The “X” is because, depending on the powertrain, there are three, or five, and potentially more, components that could be shared.

Its proof of concept is a new EV powertrain prototype labelled “3-in-1”, which uses a modular motor, inverter, and reducer. The brand is also working on a 5-in-1 prototype, which also uses a modular generator and increaser, and which will be used for e-Power models.

The brand says the strategy will reduce its production costs by around 30 percent by 2026, compared with 2019 costs. The components are also smaller and lighter, and use less rare Earth materials than the brand’s current powertrains.

“We make the most of our expertise and know-how from our more-than-a-decade long development and production of electrified technologies, Through our innovations in electrified powertrain development, we’ll continue to create new value for customers and deliver 100 percent motor-driven vehicles – EVs and e-POWER – as widely as possible,” says Nissan Senior Vice President, Toshihiro Hirai, who is in charge of electric vehicle powertrains.