Nissan Motor is contemplating the introduction of its e-Power hybrid vehicles in South Africa, aiming to bridge the transition from traditional petrol engines to electric vehicles (EVs), reported Reuters, citing sources.
This consideration comes amid challenges such as affordability issues, steep import taxes, and infrastructural constraints related to power supply and EV charging facilities in the African automotive sector.
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Nissan’s e-Power hybrids, which utilise a combination of a small gasoline engine and an electric motor, have been introduced in countries such as Tunisia, Morocco, and Egypt.
The automaker believes this technology, which relies on the engine to produce electricity that powers the vehicle exclusively through the electric battery, may also resonate with consumers in South Africa.
Nissan Africa’s communications head Ramy Mohareb was quoted by the news agency as saying: “This is currently under study”. He indicated that the company is assessing various factors, including customer interest and the readiness of the market for such technology.
Mohareb added: “Why we’re saying it fits Africa, is because you don’t need the extensive infrastructure, and battery cost is not as high as the current EVs.
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By GlobalData“There is no range anxiety. So we think that this is the right technology to transition to full EVs in Africa.”
The discussion took place during the unveiling of Nissan’s latest X-Trail SUV and the Magnite Kuro compact SUV.
Nissan South Africa managing director Maciej Klenkiewicz reaffirmed the company’s focus on the South African market amidst a significant global restructuring phase.
In July 2025, Nissan Motor Company experienced a slight year-on-year increase in worldwide sales, totalling 262,745 vehicles including its Nissan and Infiniti brands.
This increase came despite a significant downturn in the company’s home market, where sales in Japan fell by 19% to 34,628 vehicles.
However, this drop was counterbalanced by a performance in international markets, where sales climbed by more than 4%, resulting in 228,117 units being delivered overseas.
In contrast, Japan’s new vehicle market has seen a decrease of more than 8% year-on-year in August 2025, as reported by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association.
