Nissan’s move to introduce e-POWER can be looked at from two perspectives. The first is that it acts as a bridge between traditional internal combustion engine or ICE vehicles to pure battery electric vehicles or BEVs. The second is that it leverages their BEV know-how and package it into something more attainable by the masses. Either way, it’s technology that works in the Philippine setting.

The Nissan e-POWER system differs from traditional hybrids or purely electric vehicles in that the system uses a gasoline engine as a power generator. This is then connected to an inverter, a battery, and an electric motor that drives the wheels.

In the past, this unique engine layout usually requires a bigger electric motor because it’s the only direct power source for the drive wheels. However, thanks to their experience with the all-electric LEAF, Nissan has cracked the code. The result is a self-charging EV drivertrain that’s lightweight, responsive, and delivers optimal energy management. And despite using a smaller battery than the LEAF, it delivers pretty much the same driving experience.

For the Philippine setting, most drivers will find that this drivetrain makes more sense than a full-electric one. Compared to more complex hybrid systems where the gas engine’s still connected to the drive wheels, an e-POWER equipped vehicle makes more power (around 130 horsepower) and near-instant torque (around 260 Nm). Plus, instead of having to find a charging port (or worry about range), you only need to pump regular 91-octane fuel to keep the e-POWER system going. It also promises less maintenance costs too, especially since the ICE isn’t taxed; there’s no transmission to speak of either.

Nail the accelerator and the e-POWER system readily scampers forward (zero to 100 km/h in less than 10 seconds). At times, the gasoline generator comes to life, but it’s only there to prevent the batteries from drying up. Even for the most lead-foot drivers out there, this system enables you to extract the most out of every precious drop of fuel. Nissan says it’s capable of a mixed city/highway figure of 23.8 km/L—about twice a conventional ICE vehicle. During a short drive around the Mall of Asia area, I managed 17.9 km/L—not far from their claimed figure. Putting that into perspective, a full tank of gas (41 liters) will last you up to 975.8 kilometers.

While personal preference means I default to Normal mode, the e-POWER also has switchable driving modes. In both Eco and Sport, it offers stronger regenerative braking. It’s not as strong as the LEAF’s in that it’ll bring you to a complete halt, but it saves you from having to move your foot between the gas- and brake pedals most of the time in stop-and-go traffic.

Without a doubt e-POWER will help speed up the electrification process in countries like the Philippines since it can be rolled out to markets without heavy investments in charging infrastructure. Nissan fully believes that its future is in electrification, and introducing this technology will, without a doubt, help democratize it. If the pricing’s right, there’s no reason why Filipino motorists can’t get onboard. We’ll have to wait for a few more months for them to release all the details, but as far as driving’s concerned, this is one technology that gives you a real kick in the pants.