NEWS ANALYSIS: Nissan targets city fleets with longer-range EV

Date: Thursday, March 15, 2018   |   Author: Guy Bird

With political pressure building to curb emissions from urban transport, Nissan is confident its longer-range e-NV200 van can provide an answer.

The new e-NV200 can travel 60% further than before

Nissan is targeting the booming ‘last-miles’ urban delivery market with its new increased-range e-NV200.

The mid-size, zero-emission-at-source electric van has sold 15,000 units across Europe since officially going on sale in 2014, but with its new beefed-up battery version – from 24kWh to 40kWh – its range capability has improved by 60%, from 110 miles to 174 miles on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), so the Japanese brand is now hoping to make a bigger splash. Even on the new more real-world Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP), the e-NV200 still records a claimed 125-mile combined figure and 188 miles for the city, which is useful for its intended stomping ground.

Unsurprisingly, then, Nissan’s UK managing director Alex Smith is excited about the enhanced e-NV200’s prospects in this growing market – largely created by internet shopping and quicker delivery offers – but he also acknowledged that this boom is attracting serious political attention for its associated emissions increases.

“A third of all LCV journeys are made in urban areas, but 90-95% are currently made with diesel engines,” he explained. “We’d like more to use electric motors. With the average LCV covering 13,000 miles per annum – equating to 50 miles per working day – urban deliveries can absolutely be made with an e-NV200. With running costs on average four times cheaper than diesel and lower service, maintenance and repair too, it’s an environmental and economic win.”   

Although the new 40kWh battery is more powerful, Nissan stresses that it takes up no more room than the old 24kWh model, so has no impact on the van’s 4.2m3 loadspace. The new battery will also be offered in the seven-seater electric taxi version of the e-NV200. While pretty much everything else is as before for both versions (including the 109hp power output) Nissan says the navigation system inside has been improved in terms of user experience and also look and feel.



Share



View The WhatVan Digital Edition