Testing will provide additional feedback for 2014 launch
We have been writing about the e-NV200 for so long the latest announcement by Nissan of its test with DHL Japan is almost a non-event.
The e-NV200 will be Nissan’s second global electric vehicle (EV) with its commercial launch next year. The e-NV200 uses the LEAF drivetrain, although the chassis is unique to the van. The gasoline version of the NV-200 has already launched in the US. The first time that we wrote a significant story about the e-NV200 was two years ago in July of 2011 (found here). That was also a Japan based test, in that instance with the Japanese postal service. Since then Nissan has worked with several companies globally including British Gas, AEON Retail and Saitama City. This real world feedback is crucial to provide useful information in tailoring the vehicle to meet the needs of the commercial market. Other e-NV200 articles can be found by putting e-NV200 in the search box on the right.
A careful reading of the paragraph above will note that Nissan is now proclaiming this a commercial launch in 2014. We read that to mean that this vehicle will not be available to retail customers, but we will need to investigate this further as this was just announced in Japan on Friday. With one of the largest expenses to fleet operations being fuel, we see the move to EVs as being a potentially sound business decision. Many delivery route type companies have a consistent, predictable driving range that could easily be accommodated by an electric van.