NISSAN’S 100 per cent electric compact van, the e-NV200, will go into production at its Barcelona plant in the 2013 Financial Year.
The new model will be based on the existing award-winning NV200 currently produced at the plant and will be an important and innovative addition to Nissan’s global range of light commercial vehicles.
e-NV200 will become Nissan’s second all-electric vehicle (EV) following the launch of the multi-award winning Nissan LEAF in 2010, underlining Nissan’s long-term commitment to zero emission mobility.
The new model, which represents an £80m investment by Nissan in Spain, is expected to create around 700 new jobs at the plant and throughout its local supplier base.
As the sole producer of e-NV200, Barcelona will supply world markets highlighting the growing competitiveness of Nissan’s Spanish industrial operations. Last week a new medium-duty truck was allocated to Nissan’s Avila Plant in central Spain.
e-NV200 will provide both businesses and families with functional and roomy interior space and will retain the host of innovative and practical features of the current NV200 line up combined with the most advanced powertrain components of the Nissan LEAF.
This will deliver a driving range similar to the Nissan LEAF on a single charge and similar performance, together with best in class running and maintenance costs.
Genuine breakthrough
Andy Palmer, Nissan Executive Vice President, said: ‘e-NV200 represents a genuine breakthrough in commercial vehicles and further underlines Nissan’s leadership within the electric vehicle segment.
‘The new model will offer all the spaciousness, versatility and practicality of a traditionally powered compact van, but with zero CO2 emission at the point of use and also provide an outstanding driving experience that is unique to EVs.’
The current NV200 line up has already sold around 100,000 units. Its popularity led it to be chosen as the next generation New York City ‘Taxi of Tomorrow’ following a rigorous selection process.