With petrol prices climbing to $3.50 per U.S. gallon nationwide in March 2026 according to AAA data reported by Reuters, and pure electric vehicle sales cooling, Nissan is introducing its e-Power series hybrid to America.
The system makes a timely debut later this year in an updated Rogue SUV, offering the seamless drive of an EV powered not by a wall socket but by a simple petrol fill-up.
Unlike traditional hybrids such as Toyota’s Prius where the engine directly aids propulsion, e-Power uses a petrol generator to charge a compact battery that feeds electric motors for all wheel power.
This plugless design echoes extended-range EVs but sidesteps their bulkier packs and charging needs. S&P Global Mobility projects hybrids will claim 18.4% of new U.S. vehicle sales in 2026, leaping from 12.6% last year and 7.3% in 2023, while EVs slip to 7.1%.
Nissan launched e-Power in Japan in 2016 and has sold 1.6 million units across 70 countries since. For U.S. drivers wary of EV infrastructure—only 170,000 public chargers exist per U.S. Department of Energy figures—the third-generation version features a punchy 1.5-litre turbo three-cylinder engine tuned for motorway efficiency. Test drives of a similar Rogue Sport revealed brisk acceleration, smooth regenerative braking, and minimal noise or vibration thanks to the ditching of gearboxes and driveshafts.
“This is a unique powertrain for the U.S.,” said Kurt Rosolowsky, Nissan North America vehicle evaluation and test engineer, at a media briefing. “This is an electrically driven vehicle as far as what is powering the wheels but it doesn’t have a plug and you fill it up with gas like you do with a normal car.”
“The turbo is only there to serve efficiency at higher speeds for the gas engine to deliver energy,” Rosolowsky added.
Industry expert Sam Abuelsamid, Telemetry’s VP of market research, predicts strong uptake. “I think it’s going to be a really good system. I think it’s going to be very popular for Nissan in the new Rogue when it arrives later this year.” He acknowledges high-speed efficiency as a minor flaw but praises Nissan’s fixes.
After heavy EV losses industry-wide, this modular tech—adaptable to various engines—positions Nissan to challenge Toyota and Honda dominance. Official pricing and economy await, but prototypes top 40 mpg in city runs, outpacing the current Rogue’s 30 mpg EPA average.