Nissan takes new electrified powertrain development approach

Nissan has unveiled its new approach to electrified powertrain development, which it calls “X-in-1”. Core EV and e-Power powertrain components will be shared and modularised, resulting in a 30% reduction compared to 2019 in development and manufacturing costs by 2026.

The company reckons it will reduce costs through sharing and modularisation of EV and e-Power core components which will be produced on the same line.

Through “X-in-1”, Nissan aims to further increase the competitiveness of its EV and e-Power vehicles. Nissan has developed a three-in-one powertrain prototype, which modularises the motor, inverter, and reducer, planned for use in EVs.

A five-in-one prototype, which additionally modularises the generator and increaser, is planned for use in e-Power vehicles.

In 2010 Nissan was the first automotive manufacture to mass-market an EV, the Nissan Leaf, then launched its e-Power electrified powertrain in 2016.

Nissan aims to achieve e-Power price parity with internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by about 2026 and it says adopting a newly developed motor will reduce heavy rare earth elements use to 1% or less of magnet weight.

“Through our innovations in electrified powertrain development, we’ll continue to create new value for customers and deliver 100% motor-driven vehicles – EVs and e-Power – as widely as possible,” says Nissan senior vice president Toshihiro Hirai, who leads powertrain and EV engineering development.

Under its long-term vision Nissan Ambition 2030, the company aims to bolster its line-up with 27 new electrified models, including 19 EVs, by fiscal year 2030.

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