New all-electric van Nissan e-NV200 coming soon

Exciting news from Nissan this week, they announced more details of their "game changing" all-electric Nissan e-NV200. With the LEAF already part of their EV offerings, the addition of the e-NV200 will make them the first manufacturer to include two all electric vehicles in their line up. The new EV will amalgamate the best of both the LEAF and Nissan’s commercial compact van, the NV200.

So what’s the difference between the new e-NV200 and the NV200? They include visual changes, a re-engineered chassis, interior revisions, a new battery pack, a higher capacity regenerative braking system and more modifications to make the e-NV200 befitting a prime role as a city-based delivery vehicle for cargo and people. However, even though it is still based on existing hardware, a full engineering development programme from the ground up has been added reflecting a 30% increase of new components over existing NV200. Nissan’s latest press release says the drivetrain has been re-engineered in a number of significant areas to suit its new role, while changes have been made to the vehicle shell to ensure there has been no compromise to NV200’s cargo space.

The e-NV200 also differs from the LEAF in the form of a new braking system with a higher regenerative capacity. This takes advantage of the vehicle’s typical stop/start city driving modes, while Hill Start Assist is fitted as standard, holding the vehicle for two seconds after the footbrake is released to allow smooth starting. Plus, the Lithium-ion battery has been changed to allow it to fit under e-NV200’s floor without compromising the cargo area. The battery module is set low in the vehicle under the load floor and is mounted in a reinforced zone for extra safety protection in the event of an impact.

Director of Electric Vehicles for Nissan Europe, Jean-Pierre Diernaz is excited by what the e-NV200 brings to the range, commenting: “The proven and highly effective electric powertrain driving e-NV200 is ideally suited to the typical stop/start daily routine of a working vehicle. With no exhaust or noise pollution, e-NV200 is environmentally and people friendly, while the lack of fatigue-inducing noise and vibration from the drivetrain coupled with the single-speed transmission will provide genuine benefits to every hard working delivery or taxi driver. Fleet operators, meanwhile, will love the low running costs.”

The zero emissions e-NV200 would most likely be aimed toward businesses, but as it will be available as a van or as a five-seat people carrier, it could also suit large families. Nissan have said they will release the new EV in June this year.  For more details, please visit Nissan’s media website, here.