Nissan plans to deploy hybrid vehicles in South Africa to facilitate the transition towards Battery Electric Vehicles
In a recent development, Nissan Africa is evaluating the potential rollout of hybrid cars using its e-Power technology in South Africa. This announcement was made by Ramy Mohareb, the communications head for Nissan Africa, without specifying the source of the information.
The e-Power system, an electrified powertrain that combines a compact gasoline engine and an electric motor, is already in use in Nissan's hybrids launched in Morocco, Egypt, and Tunisia. This system offers a practical transition step to electric vehicles (EVs) without requiring extensive charging infrastructure, has lower battery costs compared to full EVs, and eliminates range anxiety by using a small petrol engine to generate electricity for an electric motor.
Mohareb noted that the e-Power system could be popular among South African drivers due to its lower infrastructure requirements, lower battery cost, and absence of range anxiety. He further added that this could smooth the transition to Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) in South Africa, which has been hampered by low incomes and high import duties.
Patchy power access and a lack of sufficient charging infrastructure pose additional hurdles for EV adoption on the continent. However, the e-Power system uses electricity generated by the engine to drive the vehicle solely with the electric battery, making it well-suited for South Africa's current market conditions.
Maciej Klenkiewicz, the managing director for Nissan South Africa, also commented on the company's commitment to expanding its presence in South Africa during a major global restructuring. He stated that Nissan is aiming to increase its portfolio in Africa, with the continent being in a good condition for Nissan's growth.
Recently, Nissan launched its newer model X-Trail SUV and Magnite Kuro compact SUV in South Africa. The company's potential hybrid rollout in the country is part of its strategy to introduce its e-Power hybrid system, which could provide a more affordable and practical solution for South African drivers looking to transition to electric vehicles.
As the global automotive industry continues to shift towards electric vehicles, Nissan's potential hybrid rollout in South Africa could mark a significant step in the continent's adoption of electric vehicles. The company's evaluation of factors such as customer demand and market readiness for the e-Power system in South Africa is ongoing.
This news article falls under the category of Batteries News.
