Nissan Motor announced that its third-generation e‑POWER technology, featured in the all-new Kicks and all-new Elgrand, has won the 2027 RJC Technology of the Year award at the 36th RJC Car of the Year awards, organized by the Automotive Researchers’ and Journalists’ Conference of Japan (RJC).
e‑POWER is Nissan’s unique hybrid system in which a gasoline engine generates electricity while the wheels are driven entirely by a high-output electric motor.
This delivers the responsive driving experience of an electric vehicle. The third-generation e‑POWER system combines a power-generation-dedicated engine with a 5-in-1 e‑POWER electric powertrain unit that integrates five core components, including the motor and inverter, into a single module, significantly improving fuel efficiency and quietness.
Nissan's e-POWER is a 100% electric motor-driven hybrid system where an electric motor exclusively drives the wheels, while a small petrol engine acts solely as an onboard generator to charge the battery. Because there is no mechanical connection between the petrol engine and the wheels, you get the instant torque and quietness of an electric vehicle without ever needing to plug it in.
RJC commented on the reasons for the award as follows:
“The latest evolution of e‑POWER combines a power-generation-dedicated engine offering improved thermal efficiency with a newly developed 5-in-1 electric powertrain unit offering enhanced energy efficiency.
“While the Kicks uses a 1.4-liter engine, Elgrand features a newly developed 1.5-liter turbocharged engine incorporating Nissan’s proprietary combustion technology. Advances to both the electric powertrain unit and engine further improve fuel efficiency, driving performance and quietness, enhancing the overall appeal of these vehicles with this series-hybrid system”.
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