Renault-Nissan’s Ghosn says mini-hybrids could rival in Europe

Renault-Nissan’s new gasoline-electric hybrid innovation would be competitive in Europe, CEO Carlos Ghosn stated on Thursday, as automakers turn away from diesel for smaller sized cars.

The “e-Power” transmission, revealed by Renault’s alliance partner Nissan for the Note subcompact vehicle in Japan, totals up to an electrical automobile powered by a little fuel generator instead of a big battery.

Automakers are racing into electrification as Volkswagen’s emissions test-cheating scandal speeds up diesel’s decrease and stiffens regulative willpower. Renault and Toyota are amongst those indicating a faster retreat from diesel in little cars.

Although not emissions-free, e-Power’s smaller sized battery makes it substantially more affordable than electric-only vehicles and never ever requires charging. Fuel economy figures recommend that the co2 output compares well with standard hybrid minis such as the Toyota Yaris.

“It’s certainly cost-competitive with diesel,” Ghosn stated on Thursday, including that the brand-new innovation “absolutely” would be feasible for the European mass-market. Ghosn, who heads both automakers, was talking to Reuters.

A Nissan spokesperson stated: “There are no existing plans for e-Power in Europe. However the innovation can be adjusted to other markets and (car classifications), so we would not rule it out.”

Renault-Nissan is not the only one in using combustion engine generators to power electrical automobiles.