Nissan KICKS e-POWER Starts PDRM Frontline Police Evaluation In Malaysia
Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM) has handed over two units of the Nissan KICKS e-POWER to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) for a two-month Proof of Concept (PoC) evaluation programme.
The trial will see the electrified crossover undergo real-world patrol duties to assess its performance, practicality and suitability for frontline police operations. The programme is conducted without any obligation and is intended to provide both ETCM and PDRM with operational data gathered under actual working conditions.
According to ETCM, the evaluation will measure the vehicle’s capability, efficiency and adaptability across demanding duty cycles typically encountered by police patrol units.
Real-World Assessment For Police Duties
Commissioner of Police Redzuan Bin Abd Hamid, Director of the Logistics and Technology Department at Bukit Aman, said evaluating new technologies in real operational conditions is essential before considering wider adoption.
“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.”
Christopher Tan, Executive Vice President of Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd, said the programme highlights the potential for Nissan’s electrified technology beyond private vehicle ownership.
“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. Through this evaluation programme, we are looking forward to how the Nissan KICKS e-POWER can support diverse fleet applications, including those that contribute to frontline services.”
EV Driving Without External Charging
The Nissan KICKS e-POWER uses Nissan’s unique e-POWER system, where the wheels are driven solely by an electric motor.
Unlike conventional hybrid vehicles, the petrol engine never drives the wheels directly. Instead, it functions as a generator to produce electricity for the battery, delivering the instant torque and smooth acceleration associated with an EV while retaining the convenience of refuelling at any petrol station.
This setup eliminates the need for external charging infrastructure, making e-POWER particularly attractive for users who want an electrified driving experience without changing their refuelling habits.
The two-month PDRM evaluation should provide valuable insights into whether the technology is suitable for demanding fleet operations. On paper, e-POWER appears well suited to police patrol duties, where vehicles often spend long hours on the road with unpredictable driving patterns.
Unlike a battery electric vehicle that may require charging downtime, an e-POWER vehicle can be refuelled in minutes before returning to service, while still delivering the immediate response of electric drive during daily operations.
CarTok Editor’s Note:
Police fleets place very different demands on vehicles compared to private ownership. They spend long hours idling, make frequent stop-start journeys and must respond instantly when called upon. These conditions play to the strengths of Nissan’s e-POWER system, where the electric motor provides immediate torque while the petrol engine maintains battery charge.
Whether the technology can deliver the durability, fuel savings and reliability expected by PDRM will be the real measure of success.
