Nissan Kicks e-POWER loses BEV recognition from DOE and is now an HEV
One of the biggest talking points in the motoring industry when the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA Law) was passed in 2022 was the Department of Energy’s (DOE) recognition of the Nissan Kicks e-POWER as a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) despite the need to refuel it.
Well, things have changed, and the subcompact crossover has been reclassified as a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) thanks to the DOE’s Revised EV Recognition Guidelines under Department Circular (DC) No. DC2025-09-0015, which went into effect last September 20, 2025.
READ: DOE revises classifications and guidelines on electrified vehicles
For a quick recap, the Nissan Kicks e-POWER is propelled completely by an electric motor that produces 136 horsepower and 280Nm of torque, along with a 2.13kWh lithium-ion battery that is recharged by a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine capable of 79 horsepower and 103Nm.
And while the wheels are powered solely by the electric motor, it no longer meets the DOE’s requirements for a BEV which were revised to have only a traction battery as a power source for propulsion, with the gasoline engine obviously being considered as a fueled power source.
As of this writing, Nissan Philippines, Inc. (NPI) has not released an official public statement. The Japanese automaker announced this piece of information through a letter addressed to the Nissan Kicks e-Power Club of the Philippines (NKCP).
What does this mean for current and future owners? First, they will no longer be able to enjoy the 30% discount on registration renewal fees for BEVs from the Land Transportation Office (LTO). Instead, a 15% discount will apply with it being an HEV. The same also goes for initial registration.
Thankfully, we can expect prices to remain the same as HEVs enjoy the same tax breaks as BEVs, with import duties at zero since the move was approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in 2024.
Will this change in classification affect your decision to buy a Nissan Kicks e-POWER?
