With the government making a push towards carbon neutrality as a national goal and electrification of transport being one of the ways to achieve this, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) force is also aligning itself with the government direction. It is now evaluating the Nissan Kicks e-POWER, which has an electrified powertrain, to assess its suitability for demanding frontline operations.
Two units of the crossover SUVs have been provided on loan by Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM) for a 2-month Proof of Concept evaluation programme. During the operational assessment, PDRM personnel will gather detailed operational insights regarding the vehicle’s capability, efficiency, and adaptability across rigorous daily duty cycles.
“As we continuously explore solutions that can enhance operational effectiveness, it is important that any new technology is assessed under real-world conditions. This Proof of Concept programme enables us to evaluate the Nissan KICKS e-POWER’s performance, practicality and suitability for frontline operations. The insights gained will contribute to our ongoing efforts to identify mobility solutions that best support the operational needs of the Royal Malaysia Police,” said Commissioner of Police, Redzuan Bin Abd Hamid, Director of the Logistics and Technology Department of the PDRM.
Speaking on behalf of ETCM, Christopher Tan, the company’s Executive Vice-President, said: “At Nissan, we believe the best innovations are those that address real-world needs. Nissan e-POWER was developed to make electrified driving accessible by delivering an EV-like driving experience without the need to charge and the fear of range anxiety.”
He added that the evaluation programme will provide valuable data on how the model performs across diverse fleet applications and frontline services.
Nissan e-Power Technology
Unlike conventional hybrid electric powertrains, where both the engine and electric motor directly drive the wheels, the e-Power system in the KICKS uses only the electric motor to drive the wheels. This provides the characteristics of a fully electric vehicle, such as instantaneous torque, smooth linear acceleration and quieter running.
While it offers the characteristics of a fully electric vehicle, it does not need manual recharging by the owner at all. This overcomes the common concern of those who are considering EVs as they worry about not being able to find a charging station. This also makes it more suitable for police patrol use as only refuelling petrol is needed – and petrol stations are readily found everywhere.
The e-POWER system also enhances fuel economy of the vehicle as the engine runs only intermittently – when the battery has to be recharged – and with 41 litres of fuel in a full tank, a range of up to 900 kms is possible.
Three versions of the KICKS e-POWER are available, with prices ranging from RM113,800 to RM125,800. For a limited time, ETCM is offering a promotional rebate of up to RM22,000.
