Nissan Patrol to shun hydrogen, focus on e-Power hybrid

A rough road battle is brewing between two 4WD heavyweights: the Nissan Patrol and Toyota LandCruiser.

The two have been battling it out in the Australian bush and outback for decades – but they look set to take two very different eco-friendly paths.

Nissan is gearing up to back hybrid power for future iterations of the Patrol off-roader in the race towards zero emissions, in turn all but ruling out hydrogen fuel cell EV tech shortlisted by the arch-rival Toyota LandCruiser.

EXPLAINER: Nissan e-Power hybrid tech

While the LandCruiser is expected to employ Toyota’s hybrid system within a few years, it’s hydrogen that is the long game for the big 4WD player.

But Nissan’s hybrid push is not just any hybrid tech but e-Power, which provides an EV driving experience by only allowing the electric motor/s to power the wheels.

Nissan is expected to push hard with e-Power in Australia over coming years, in part to counter the unprecedented hybrid surge from Toyota.

READ MORE: New 300-Series LandCruiser to get hybrid, with hydrogen fuel cell on the radar longer term

Nissan Australia boss Stephen Lester said the lack of refueling infrastructure made hydrogen impractical for all but large fleets and heavy vehicles such as trucks and buses.

“I don’t see any application [for hydrogen in passenger cars and 4WDs],” said Lester. “There’s no infrastructure to build hydrogen.

“I don’t see the hydrogen application in consumer vehicles the way some other manufacturers do.”

Instead, Lester sees hydrogen fuel cell tech as being limited to larger commercial vehicles.

“The long haul truck/commercial application, yes, perhaps down the track … but that’s a very, very specific application.”

Instead, Lester nominated e-Power, Nissan’s innovative preference for hybrid propulsion.

E-Power uses only electric motors to drive the wheels. However, the electricity is provided solely by a petrol engine that has been specially tuned for efficiency to act only as a generator.

While it runs only on petrol, the Nissan e-Power models promise an EV driving experience and significantly reduced fuel bills.

E-Power is already coming in the Qashqai and X-Trail – and Nissan Australia wants to sell some locally.

It’s that technology – but scaled and adjusted to the usage and requirements – Lester sees as crucial for the next generation Patrol.

It would allow the Patrol to exchange its V8 petrol engine for something much smaller, such as a four-cylinder. Electric motors would still give the mighty Patrol the pull – and torque – it needs, especially for heavy-duty off-road driving and towing, while also allowing traditional refills at petrol stations.

“There’s no question that a technology like e-Power will be a bridge [for Patrol], that’s why we feel so strongly about e-Power.

“It strikes right at the heart of what the driving enjoyment of an EV is, fully electric at the wheels; silent, immediate torque, plenty of power, e-Pedal if you will, all sorts of really positive things about the driving experience around that.”