electric vehicles

Nissan’s 100% electric van gets the thumbs up after test drive

gazza — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Nissan’s 100% electric van gets the thumbs up after test drive

gazza Mon, 28/01/2013

Nissan has received extremely positive feedback from the fleet industry on its new e-NV200 electric van when it was showcased in late 2012.

Five leasing companies, six major fleet operators and three used value guides visited Nissan’s Barcelona production facility and drove the new e-NV200, a diesel NV200 and the LEAF.

The group met the e-NV200 development team and were able to give their thoughts on all aspects of the vehicle, including how they envisage it fitting into a fleet strategy. Nissan also shared its overall EV vision including product creation, development and future EV plans.

All delegates reacted positively to the 100% electric van’s driving and performance characteristics with many keen to put the vehicle into 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,” explained Matthew Dale, Nissan’s national LCV sales manager.

“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 e-NV200,” he added.

From a residual value perspective the used guides could see a definite role to play for the 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 Barcelona trip follows successful trials with major fleets such as British Gas, FedEx and the Japan Post Service in 2011 and 2012 as Nissan prepares the e-NV200 for mainstream production. The e-NV200 is expected to go on sale in 2014.

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electric vehicles

Commercial Electric Vehicle to be tested by Nissan and Coca-Cola

gazza — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Commercial Electric Vehicle to be tested by Nissan and Coca-Cola

gazza Tue, 13/11/2012

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. is providing Coca-Cola with the e-NV200, a commercial vehicle that’s 100% electric, for field testing starting in mid-November.

Coca-Cola’s regional organization, Coca-Cola Central Japan Co., Ltd., will use Nissan’s multipurpose commercial van as regional sales vehicle in Yokohama, evaluating its performance and practical usability against conventional internal-combustion engine vehicles. The van will be recharged only at night when electricity consumption is low. The test will determine if the nightly charge is sufficient to meet user needs during the day. Overall, Nissan is looking for feedback as to e-NV200’s suitability for commercial use.

Nissan has already road tested the e-NV200 this year with several other major companies, including AEON Retail Co., Ltd., FedEx Express and British Gas in Japan and Europe. Nissan is using the feedback from the field testing to refine and enhance the final development of e-NV200, scheduled to launch by fiscal year 2014. The commercial vehicle will be Nissan’s second mass-produced 100% EV. It follows Nissan LEAF, the world’s first globally produced EV for the consumer market.

Providing a large, multi-functional interior space to both business and private users, the e-NV200 commercial EV will deliver innovation in the commercial vehicle market and further Nissan’s leadership in the EV market. Combining the advanced powertrain of the Nissan LEAF with the innovative and practical NV200 base vehicle will not only deliver zero CO2 emissions, but also superior acceleration and quietness. In addition, e-NV200 has class-leading levels of operating costs, one of the most critical factors for businesses using commercial vehicles.

As a leader in zero-emission mobility, Nissan is developing electric vehicles while engaged in comprehensive efforts to expand the use of electric vehicles and promote sustainable mobility.

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Electric vehicles in cities could help to improve air quality

gazza — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 23:00:00 +0000

Electric vehicles in cities could help to improve air quality

gazza Tue, 25/09/2012

"Electric vehicles in cities will improve air quality" says IET Electric vehicles have an important role to play in improving air quality, particularly in cities. If electric vehicles are used appropriately in big conurbations, it could help to improve air quality, says Europe’s biggest professional engineers’ body.

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) submitted evidence to the Transport Select Committee inquiry into low carbon vehicles. The Committee’s report “Plug in Vehicles, Plugged in Policy?” published today, warns the Government that it must do more to show that its plug-in vehicle strategy is a good use of public money.

Chris Richards, IET Transport Policy Advisor said: “The underlying theme of the Transport Select Committee recommendations is that the Government’s low carbon vehicles programme needs to be reviewed and evaluated.

“The IET is recommending that any such review should look at the population centres and transport applications which would benefit from a more focused approach.

“There is a particular air quality benefit to be gained from the use of electric vehicles in urban areas. Increased incentives to assist adoption in cities could be one way to ensure the vehicles are being targeted on making the biggest impact.”

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electric vehicles