The Nissan e-NV200, a100% electric van, has received positive feedback from the fleet industry as Nissan prepares the vehicle for mainstream production. Five leasing companies, six major fleet operators and three used value guides visited Nissan’s Barcelona production facility to test the e-NV200, a diesel NV200 and the Nissan LEAF. The Nissan e-NV200 is due to go on sale in 2014.

Positive response for Nissan e-NV200

The delegates had the chance to meet the Nissan e-NV200 development team and offered their thoughts on all aspects of the vehicle, including how they envisage it fitting into a fleet strategy. Nissan also provided an overview of its overall Electric Vehicle (EV) vision which includes production creation, development and future EV plans. All the delegates reacted positively to the e-NV200 electric van and its performance characteristics with many wanting to put the vehicle to immediate use.

“We were blown away with the response and we already have leasing companies and fleet operators who want to trial the vehicle, and some who want to order a fleet of vehicles for urban delivery use. After driving the vehicle on the two-day trip they could immediately see the business benefit of running electric vans across specific parts of a fleet. Commercial vehicles are working tools and our guests recognised both the savings in fuel costs and reduced emissions offered by the Nissan e-NV200,” explained Matthew Dale, Nissan’s national LCV sales manager.

From a residual value perspective the used guides could see a definite role to play for the Nissan e-NV200 and that used prices should be strong based on the vehicle’s practicality and whole life costs, which will give it a second and third life in the used market.

“Residual values are key to the success of any commercial vehicle so we were pleased to hear some very positive initial comments from the used vehicle experts,” said Dale.

The Nissan e-NV200 has already participated in trials with major fleets such as British Gas, FedEx and the Japan Post Service in 2011 and 2012.