While passions boil around the production of Tesla Motors, the most massive of mass-produced electric vehicles remains hatchback Nissan Leaf. The Japanese company main drawback of modern electric cars is not even the high cost but the modest cruising range on a single charge. Without a well-developed infrastructure of charging stations and careful route planning, adjusted for weather conditions, operation of an electric vehicle can not be considered comfortable.
According to Autonews resource, the head of Nissan Motor, Carlos Ghosn (Carlos Ghosn) has promised that the Japanese company will release before the end of March next year the compact hybrid with a consistent scheme that will reduce dependence on vehicle charging stations. Sequential hybrid drive scheme implies that the wheels are rotating forces of electric motors, but in the case of traction battery charge depletion comes in compact internal combustion engine rotating the generator shaft, which supplies electricity to the battery and the motor. Moderate reserve fuel should be enough to reach the socket. A similar scheme is already used by Chevrolet Volt and one of the BMW i3 modifications.
As explained by Nissan representatives , used to generate electricity, internal combustion engine can be compact, and its mode of operation is obtained sufficiently uniform. In this case the traction battery capacity can be reduced, since it is always possible to recharge the generator. serial hybrid drive system by Nissan received the name of e-Power. Outside of Japan, is a compact hybrid will not be offered, but the autopilot functions will gradually be introduced on vehicles brands offered in the United States, Europe and China.
In Japan ProPilot system to automatically move within a band, will make its debut next year. By 2018, it will learn to be reconstructed from one row to another. In 2020, Nissan will allow the autopilot to automatically drive through intersections. Together with Renault Japanese automaker promises to provide not less than 10 car models with the function of the autopilot in the next four years.