If you could take the electric vehicle technology that runs the world’s best-selling electric vehicle, the Nissan Leaf, and put it into a larger package, the result would be the Nissan e-NV200 pure electric delivery van, debuting at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show.
With all the focus on super-luxury cars at the Geneva Motor Show, stuff that we’ll never get to even look at (curse your unworthy eyes) or sit in (have you ever sat in the buttery-soft leather seats of a Maserati?), it’s nice to see some more practical things, such as electric vehicles. Now, the world’s best-selling electric vehicle is a small one, the Nissan Leaf. Probably the only reason that Tesla Model S isn’t up there is because of its price-tag and low production numbers, yet demand consistently outstrips production. Still, both of these vehicles aren’t up to the task of, say, mail delivery or such. Enter the Nissan e-NV200.
Nissan took the strengths of two great vehicles, mashed them together in the idea-box, and the result is a great-looking delivery van that generates zero emissions. The Nissan e-NV200 is built on the same chassis as the ever-popular Nissan NV200, which has been in use by delivery companies worldwide. Now, with an all-electric powertrain, fleet owners can reduce fueling costs and emissions, without sacrificing cargo capacity or speed.
At the 84th Annual Geneva Motor Show, the Nissan e-NV200 made its debut, and will start production for worldwide markets by June, 2014. The power supply, the same 24 kWh capacity as built into the Nissan Leaf, gives the e-NV200 an estimated range of 106 miles, which Nissan estimates is greater than most people driving the conventional NV200 currently drive. Switching to an all-electric delivery van won’t require any sacrifice, aside from slightly higher upfront costs, which will be easily made up in refueling / recharging savings.
Image © Nissan
LoneWolffe Ladson
That is a myth that Nissan is using to cover the shortage of driving range in this early stage of EV adoption and development, i.e., “you don’t need the range”…I have a Leaf and believe me you suffer greatly in freeway traffic by driving in the truck lanes at 55 mph in order to extend your mileage enough to accomplish a 60 mile round trip commute. And, I can look forward to reduced mileage as the battery pack wears.
My suggestion to all EV buyers is to lease the car at this early stage of EV adoption or wait for battery development to catch up with what is really needed for mileage before buying.
Ladson For now, it seems that Nissan was striking a balance with how much battery the van really needs in view of how much people actually use the conventional van now. I’m sure that future versions might come with battery options.
disappointing to not see an upgraded battery in this drive train.