The further evolution of e-POWER control technology

e-POWER control technology utilizes traffic and road surface information to optimize the timing of when to activate the engine to charge the battery pack, towards the goal of improved real-world fuel efficiency and quietness on par with EVs.

e-POWER control technology will evolve incrementally.

Initially, the on-board engine operation is controlled by real-time sensor information only.

With the addition of road surface information, the system can identify when the road surface can best mask the on-board engine’s running noise.

This reduces the amount of noise from the engine for a quieter driving experience.*

In the future, our technology will evolve more intelligently through usage of prediction models based on navigation route information and the latest road traffic information, including road surface information.

For example, based on the location information of the driver’s home, traffic jam area, rough road and downhill sections on a navigated route, the e-POWER’s intelligent powertrain management can schedule when the engine needs to activate in advance. This combination of information and advanced planning can enable an EV-like drive around home and during a traffic jam, and charge the battery on rough roads and downhill sections to improve real world fuel efficiency and quietness.

In addition, this technology will see gains on a daily basis, using additional outside information for machine learning and deep analysis to optimize performance according to the driver’s on-road behavior.