The What Van? Road Test: Nissan eNV200 (2019)

Date: Monday, May 20, 2019   |   Author: Steve Banner

 

Operating

A 6.6kW AC onboard charger is fitted, and if you flip up a hatch at the front of the vehicle you will uncover two charging ports.

One can take power from an ordinary domestic supply while its stablemate is intended for 50kW DC rapid charging. Cables are provided for both.

Completely recharging the battery from zero should take 7.5 hours assuming you have access to a 32A wall-box, says Nissan.

You will need to allow a lot more time, however – a painful 21 hours and 30 minutes – if you are relying on a standard three-pin socket.

Use a rapid-charger and you should be able to get to 80% capacity in around 40 to 60 minutes, Nissan states.

The cost of the electricity used to propel the eNV200 can be measured in pennies per mile.

The government’s Plug-in Van Grant cuts the purchase price of electric light commercials by 20% up to a maximum of £8,000.

In our demonstrator’s case that brings the price down to £21,881 on-the-road excluding VAT.

To these savings can be added zero-rated Vehicle Excise Duty, exemption from the London Congestion Charge, and free access to the upcoming London Ultra Low Emission Zone.

Nor will there be any charge to enter the Clean Air Zones that will be rolled out across selected urban areas around the UK over the next few years.

Bear in mind too that London mayor Sadiq Khan has announced a scrappage scheme to encourage businesses in the capital to replace their old vehicles with newer, cleaner models, including electric ones.

Bi-directional charging technology is fitted, which allows excess energy stored in the battery pack to be sold back to the grid – a potentially useful source of income.

Using the NissanConnect app, eNV200 operators can check on the level of battery charge remotely, start the charging process and set the onboard climate control system to the desired temperature.

Service intervals are set at 12 months/8,000 miles while the warranty lasts for five years/60,000 miles.

Most importantly, the battery’s charging capacity is warranted for eight years/100,000 miles.

Finally, the anti-corrosion warranty lasts for 12 years.

Nissan eNV200 Tekna 40kWh

Price (ex VAT)    £28,719**
Price range (ex VAT)     £25,219-£28,719**
Gross payload     705kg
Load volume    4.2m³
Load length     2,040mm
Load width (min/max)     1,220/1,500mm
Load bay height     1,358mm
Loading height     523mm
Rear door aperture      1,262 x 1,228mm
Side door aperture     700 x 1,171mm
Gross vehicle weight     2,220kg
Braked trailer towing weight      410kg
Residual value     19.7% (24.6%)*
Cost per mile      40.7p (32.2p)*
Engine size/power     80kW (109hp) AC synchronous electric motor
Torque     254Nm
Gearbox     Single-speed step-less
Range     124-187 miles (WLTP city & combined cycle)
Battery     40kWh laminated lithium-ion
Warranty     5yrs/60,000mls
Service intervals     1yr/8,000mls
Insurance group     12E
Price as tested      £28,999

*after 4yrs/80,000ml
source:  KwikCarcost (Figures in brackets with Plug-in Van Grant)
** Before Plug-In Van Grant

Options Fitted

Cold Pack     £280

Rivals

Peugeot Partner Electric
Price (ex VAT) £22,850-£23,450
Load volume    3.3-3.7m³
Gross payload    552-636kg
Engines     37kW
 
Verdict: Anybody expecting to see battery-powered new Peugeot Partners will have to wait until next year. In the meantime, Peugeot and sister brand Citroen (Berlingo Electric) are continuing to market the electric versions of the previous models, which offer less range than their key rivals. Front-end price is lower though.

Renault Master Z.E.
Price (ex VAT) £53,700-£56,800
Load volume      8.0-13.0m³
Gross payload    975-1,128kg
Engines    57kW

Verdict: The fact that we’re highlighting a model that is a lot bigger than the other vans referred to goes to show how few electric vans from mainstream brands are on-sale right now as opposed to being somewhere in the pipeline. This one has plenty of cargo space but does not come cheap, and at 74 miles is a little short on range. 

Renault Kangoo Van/Kangoo Van Maxi Z.E
Price (ex VAT) £24,200-£27,600
Load volume 1.3-4.0m³
Gross payload 605-640kg
Engines 44kW

Verdict: Now with a 33kWh battery and a longer range as a consequence, the latest electric Kangoos come with an upgraded single-phase 7kW AC charger, which can take the new battery to full charge in six hours, says Renault. Range is competitive, but sister brand Nissan’s e-NV200 offers more carrying capacity.    

The Final Verdict

Design	8/10	Sensibly crafted with most of the features operators will need.
Cabin	7/10	Pleasant enough with clear dashboard displays.
Ride	6/10	Too choppy, but improves when the van is laden.
Refinement	8/10	Ultra-quiet both internally and externally.
Load area	8/10	Usefully sized and easy to access, it has a respectable payload.
Handling/performance	7/10	The former could be a lot sharper, the latter is impressive.
Engine/transmission	8/10	No lack of power, and the transmission delivers it smoothly.
Standard equipment	9/10	Acenta-trimmed models are well kitted-out.
Operating costs	8/10	Ultra-low, and the warranty package is praiseworthy.
What Van? subjective rating	8/10	Best EV van around. Viable for city/suburbs, and a bit further out.

Overall Rating 77/100

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