Melbourne: To demonstrate the real-world efficiency of Nissan’s latest e-POWER hybrid technology, the 2026 Nissan Qashqai set out to complete a lap of Tasmania on a single tank of fuel. The challenge began with a fill-up in Geelong before boarding the Spirit of Tasmania to Devonport, with the goal of circumnavigating the island and returning to the mainland without visiting a Tasmanian fuel station.
Covering more than 1300 kilometres on 55 litres of fuel, the route traversed some of Tasmania’s most demanding and scenic roads, from Launceston and Freycinet to the Bay of Fires, Hobart, the Huon Valley and the rugged west coast, before returning to Devonport for the ferry journey home.
By the time the Qashqai e-POWER reboarded the ferry back to Geelong, the trip meter showed 1209.2km at an indicated average fuel consumption of 4.5L/100km. The vehicle ultimately travelled 1303km before refuelling, maintaining the same 4.5L/100km average.
The result highlights the real-world efficiency gains delivered by Nissan’s next-generation e-POWER system, which combines EV-like driving characteristics with the convenience of a petrol-powered drivetrain.
For 2026, Qashqai introduces an updated e-POWER powertrain with combined-cycle fuel consumption reduced to 4.1L/100km and CO2 emissions lowered to 92g/km#.
Central to the update is a new ‘5-in-1’ powertrain architecture integrating the electric motor, generator, inverter, increaser and reducer into in a single efficient unit, further reducing both weight and complexity while improving energy transfer.
The revised system is paired with a redesigned 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine featuring Nissan’s proprietary STARC combustion technology, helping deliver thermal efficiency of up to 42 per cent by converting more fuel energy into usable power and reducing energy losses through heat.
It was a feat made possible by the proven real-world efficiency of Nissan’s e-POWER technology, which delivers an EV-like drive experience free of any kind of range anxiety.
The 2026 Qashqai, featuring next-generation e-POWER introduced even better efficiency, with fuel use and CO2 emissions both falling, now 4.1L and 92g/km on the combined cycle#.
A new ‘5-in-1’ powertrain architecture combines the electric motor, generator, inverter, increaser and reducer in a single efficient unit, further reducing both weight and complexity while improving energy transfer.
Paired with a completely redesigned 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, featuring proprietary STARC combustion technology, this powertrain delivers an incredible 42 per cent thermal efficiency, meaning more fuel is converted into mechanical power, and less into wasted heat.
“This trip isn’t laboratory testing, this is the real world and real conditions, completing a dream lap of Tasmania that so many Australians have either done, or would love to,” says Nissan Oceania Managing Director, Steve Milette.
“Now more than ever Australian drivers are looking for fuel efficiency that doesn’t compromise driving enjoyment, and this 1300km real-world journey shows that the Nissan Qashqai e-POWER delivers.”
Importantly, this lap was completed earlier in the year, under real-world conditions, and at the posted speed limits, across varied terrain including freeways, urban roads and a number of challenging hill climbs.
For more details on the 2026 Nissan Qashqai see here
