THE TRUTH ABOUT NISSAN QASHQAI E-POWER 2023 SERIES HYBRID IN AUSTRALIA

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John Cadogan delivers a scathing review of the Nissan Qashqai e-Power, criticizing both Nissan's marketing and the Australian automotive press for their handling of the vehicle's launch. He highlights the e-Power system's complexity, arguing that its series hybrid design, with an engine acting solely as a generator, is inherently less efficient than other hybrid or EV systems due to multiple energy conversion losses. Cadogan points out the "anorexic" 2.1 kWh battery, which he believes is too small to provide meaningful EV-only range or support the 140 kW electric motor for extended periods without significant strain. He questions Nissan's battery reliability track record and the system's complexity, suggesting it compromises long-term dependability. Furthermore, Cadogan calculates that the e-Power's marginal fuel savings over the conventional petrol Qashqai do not justify the estimated $5,000 price premium, making it a poor financial proposition. His overall verdict is that the Qashqai e-Power is an interesting engineering "footnote" but not a viable commercial product for saving money or the planet.