Nissan, Sunwoda to jointly develop next-gen car batteries

Wilbert Tan Jun 23, 2020

Nissan Motor Co. will start the study for the development of next-generation electric vehicles (EVs) with China’s Sunwoda EV Battery Co.

The batteries are intended for use in Nissan’s e-POWER vehicles, which includes a gasoline engine that—instead of powering the vehicle's drivetrain, will be used to charge the battery instead. This method eliminates the need to plug the vehicle into a charger every time the battery runs out.

“The e-POWER system offers full electric motor drive, meaning that the wheels are completely driven by the electric motor,” Nissan describes its innovative new technology.

“e-POWER is comprised of a high-output battery and the powertrain which is integrated with gasoline engine, power generator, inverter and a motor. In conventional hybrid systems, the wheels are driven by an electric motor and a gasoline engine.”

“However, in the e-POWER system, the gasoline engine is not connected to the wheels; it simply charges the battery. And unlike a full EV, the power source is the engine, rather than just the battery.”

Nissan and Sunwoda are also looking to develop an efficient production system that will guarantee the stable supply capacity of their jointly developed batteries.

The two companies hope to arrive at a final agreement by year’s end, based on the terms and conditions of the study.

Nissan also noted in its stament that it will expand its global lineup of EVs and e-POWER models, which should fit nicely into Japanese carmaker’s plans of bringing the innovative technology globally into the B- and C-segments.

Nissan has the lofty goal of selling more than one million electrified vehicles annually by the end of fiscal year 2023.

The company behind the Leaf EV feels that Sunwoda is the best partner for its large-scale EV expansion strategy because of the battery maker’s established global track record in the development of lithium-ion batteries.

The Nissan Leaf is expected to arrive on our islands sometime this year. We expect pricing and other pertinent info to be announced as the launch date nears, although Nissan Philippines has not yet given an exact date for it.

Photos from Nissan Motor Co.