Nissan e-NV200 Electric Van

 In creating its first pure electric LCV, Nissan has significantly re-engineered and re-styled NV200 for its new role. And although it does use a number of key elements from LEAF and NV200, some 30 percent of its components are unique to e-NV200. There are styling changes, a re-engineered chassis, interior revision, a new battery pack and a higher capacity regenerative braking system.

 The result is a range of zero-emission vehicles that are capable of making a significant contribution not only to future mobility but also to the business model of any company using small vans, people movers or taxis. For as well as being an exciting vehicle to drive, e-NV200 will be cost effective to run and, just as importantly, its sustainability will reflect positively on any operator’s business decision.

 After an exhaustive testing programme, which included providing globally recognised companies with prototype vehicles to provide feedback in real world usage, e-NV200 is now ready to come to market.

When sales start in June, e-NV200 will be available as a compact but capacious and practical van or as a five-seat passenger vehicle in Combi or more luxurious Evalia versions (Evalia not offered in the UK). The LCV version has a cargo volume of 4.2m3 and can carry two standard Euro pallets, while sliding side doors on both sides and wide opening rear doors – a top hinged single rear door is also available – ensure that loading and unloading is as easy as possible. Running costs are the number one priority for most fleet operators and the e-NV200 has been developed to help the business equation. Planned maintenance costs are 40 percent lower and without engine oil, belts, gearbox or clutch there are fewer parts to be checked or replaced. Fuel costs are also significantly lower, with diesel costing three or four times as much as electricity for 100 km of driving.

In the coming year there will also be dedicated taxi versions of e-NV200 on the market, a vehicle built to comply with specific, and invariably different, regulations in capital cities. The first European city to adopt e-NV200 as part of its taxi fleet will be the vehicle’s home city of Barcelona, Spain.

 In fact, e-NV200 is built exclusively in Barcelona for global sale. It will be produced in Spain alongside NV200, using lithium-ion battery cells produced at Nissan’s battery plant in Sunderland, UK. The battery packs themselves are made in Barcelona to a unique design for e-NV200.

The Nissan e-NV200 is perfectly suited to a working life in Europe’s cities and towns. It has a range a homologated NEDC range of 170 km – considerably more than the average 100 km daily driving distance of 70 percent of the fleets using compact vans in their businesses. In Europe 35 percent of this category of van never travel more than 120 km in the life of the van.