Category Archives: Nissan

News and reviews of Nissan electric vans (including plug-in hybrids).

Nissan Turns the Townstar EV Into a Capable Camper With a Roof Tent and Tailgate Kitchen

September 12, 2023Electric Cars, Electric Motorhomes, News, Reviews and Comment, Nissan, NissanRepost

With the global electrification efforts and more electric vehicles on the market than ever before, vanlifers seem to also be interested in jumping on the EV bandwagon. While all-electric van manufacturers are mainly competing in the last-mile delivery industry, this new generation of vans has great potential to be used as a platform for electric camper vans as well.

Nissan is showcasing the potential of its all-electric Nissan Townstar EV station wagon as a camping rig at the ongoing 2023 Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf, Germany. The carmaker has outfitted the light commercial vehicle with a high-popping rooftop tent and a tailgate kitchen unit, turning it into a practical camper, ideal for weekend getaways and holiday breaks.

Those who follow the e-camper van market might remember Nissan’s e-NV200, the world’s first electric camper van. That model was retired in 2021 and replaced by the Townstar EV. Considering the popular e-NV200 van regularly topped the European sales charts while it was in production, the Nissan Townstar EV has quite the reputation to uphold.

View through the rear doors (Image: T. Larkum)

This is the first time the emission-free vehicle has undergone a professional campervan conversion, but Nissan hasn’t presented it as a full-fledged camper van product but rather as a preview of how the Townstar could be turned into a compelling e-mini-camper. Also, as a sneak peek into the future of sustainable family travel.

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Best 7-seat electric cars to buy 2023

September 4, 2023Citroen, e-NV200, Electric Vans, Hyundai, Mercedes, Model X, News, Reviews and Comment, Nissan, Peugeot, TeslaRepost

Looking for a large, electric car with seven seats? We’ve listed the best options currently available

Electric car buyers in the UK have more choice than ever before. With the number and variety of different electric cars for sale continuing to rapidly expand, there’s an EV out there to suit almost any requirements. That includes those of buyers with big families looking for 7-seat electric cars or businesses who need a six or seven-seat vehicle to transport staff and clients.

To comfortably carry six or seven adults and some amount of luggage, you’re going to need a large vehicle and so the available options for buyers seeking a seven-seater that runs on electric power mainly boil down to larger SUVs or MPVs. Lots of the electric MPVs on today’s market are based on commercial vehicles and offer huge amounts of space as a result, while the SUVs tend to be a little less roomy in the third row but tend to deliver a more premium feel in terms of the cabin environment and driving experience.

Electric seven-seaters make a lot of sense for those who make a lot of short trips such as commuting or doing the school run, as this is where the lower running costs, zero-tailpipe emissions and quieter ride can really pay off, especially in congested or urban environments.

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First Drive: The Nissan Townstar EV is a compelling entry to the compact electric van market

March 28, 2023Electric Cars, Electric Vans, News, Reviews and Comment, NissanRepost

Nissan is kicking off a revived van line-up with the Townstar. Ted Welford tries it out in Paris.

While Nissan is acknowledged for its Leaf being the first truly mass-market electric car, this firm’s impact on the commercial vehicle segment shouldn’t be underestimated either. Its e-NV200 was one of the first vans to be offered as an EV, and it was a huge hit, accounting for 40 per cent of all electric vans sold, even in its latter years.

Following that van up is a tough ask, but a few years after the e-NV200 was dropped, here we are with its replacement – the Townstar. This time, Nissan’s had to use its Alliance partner Renault’s Kangoo as its basis but reckons its experience and strong EV customer base give it the edge. But is that the case?

The e-NV200 was really starting to show its age by the end, so this Townstar – which is part of Nissan’s new ‘star’ van-naming policy, incorporating the Primastar and Interstar – immediately feels more modern.

It’s got a particularly car-like interior, with a large touchscreen and digital dial display fitted to higher-spec models, along with a multitude of new driver assistance features, with Nissan boasting about 20 new technologies being introduced to the Townstar.

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Nissan e-NV200 Winter Camper concept unveiled

January 28, 2021e-NV200, e-NV200 Camper Van, Electric Cars, Electric Motorhomes, News, Reviews and Comment, Nissan, NissanRepost

Nissan goes off-piste with an electric camper based on its e-NV200 Combi MPV

This is the Nissan e-NV200 Winter Camper concept, a modified version of the brand’s electric-van-based MPV. With a host of modifications to help it deal with snowy conditions and adventurous camping expeditions, Nissan says the concept “combines the thrill of electric driving with the spirit of the wild”.

Nissan has fitted the e-NV200 with its Camper Technology Luxury Kit, which comprises an on-board 220V power pack, roof-mounted solar panels and an integrated kitchen with fridge, folding beds and insulated glass.

These camping essentials have been combined with external modifications intended to help the e-NV200 fare better over rough terrain, including off-road tyres, a raised ride height and a set of spotlights up front. Other accessories include rear mudguards, rubber mats and door-entry guards, all of which are available as ‘Nissan Original Accessories’ for the standard production version.

The Winter Camper concept is otherwise unchanged from the standard e-NV200 and so uses the same powertrain, with a 40kWh battery offering 124 miles of range. There are no plans to put the Winter Camper into production, but it does act as a showcase for the potential of Nissan’s electric MPV – and some of the accessories available when you place your order.

“For Nissan, electric mobility is all about offering an exciting experience behind the wheel – while above all remaining conscious of our impact on the environment,” said Dmitry Busurkin of Nissan Europe. “Imbued with the essence of adventure and thrilling electrified power, the Nissan e-NV200 Winter Camper concept van is an expression of the future of zero-emissions mobility.”

This isn’t the first time Nissan has experimented with custom versions of its electric model. In 2020, it revealed the Nissan RE-LEAF disaster-response vehicle and for Clean Air Day in 2019 it commissioned an e-NV200-based ice-cream van.

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The top 5 electric vans

June 25, 2020e-NV200, Electric Cars, Electric Vans, eVito, Kangoo Z.E., Master Z.E., Mercedes, News, Reviews and Comment, Nissan, Renault, VolkswagenRepost

There might not be a big history of electric vans in the UK, but expect this to change rapidly as the number of battery-powered commercial vehicles is set to grow in the coming years. Here we recommend 5 great electric vans…

While you could count the number of electric vans on one hand in recent times, this will be very different in just a few years’ time.

Electric vans provide the same benefits as electric cars, but there are some additional challenges that private drivers won’t have to factor in. The obvious benefit is the lack of emissions, with EV vans able to drive around without producing any tailpipe emissions. These are the factors to consider when deciding whether an electric van will work for you or not.
ULEZ charges
This means that they aren’t subject to any of the inner-city charges that are either already in place or are planned for the coming years. In London they are exempt from the Ultra Low Emission Zone charge that operates 24 hours a day and costs £12.50.

They are also exempt from the London Congestion Charge (£15.00 a day as of 22 June) although that will end in 2025. As all the current electric vans are classified as light commercial vehicles, they are not eligible for the LEZ that applies to heavy duty vans and trucks. Future charge zones are designed to reduce pollution in urban areas above all else so it is highly likely that electric vehicles will be exempt from charges in other cities for the foreseeable future, too.
Range
The range that a van can travel between charges is the biggest barrier for many, and it is fair to say that a battery-powered van will not be able to replace a diesel model if you are going to do anything other than short-distance urban deliveries or predictable daily routes.

As it stands, the longest official range available in an electric van is 143 miles from the Renault Kangoo Z.E. 33, while many, like the VW e Transporter and Mercedes eVito offer an official range of below 100 miles.

This range will be impacted by how fast you drive, how cold the weather is and, crucially, how much weight you carry in the back. Hauling around a full payload could reduce the range by around 10%, or 10 miles or more, so it is a notable factor.

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Nissan NV400 becomes Japan’s first electric ambulance

May 29, 2020Electric Cars, Electric Vans, Master Z.E., News, Reviews and Comment, Nissan, Nissan, Renault, RenaultTrevor Larkum

It will be used by the Tokyo Fire Department

Consumer passenger cars aren’t the only vehicles undergoing electric transformations. We’ve seen the introduction of early electric fire trucks, and now Japan is getting its first electric ambulance. It’s a Nissan NV400, and it will be used by the Tokyo Fire Department at the Ikebukuro station.

Though badged as a Nissan, the NV400 is at its heart a Renault Master Z.E. electric van. The powertrain is the same as the French van with a 33-kilowatt-hour battery (7 kWhs less than the base Nissan Leaf) and a 55-kW motor driving the front wheels. That translates to 74 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. That doesn’t sound like much, but in as dense a city as Tokyo, it’s not likely the NV400 will be able to reach high speeds at all, even if it had a Hellcat engine.

There are a couple of unique additions to the van to enhance its ambulance capability. One is the inclusion of a separate 8-kWh lithium-ion battery that can operate all the equipment on board for long periods of time without eating into the ambulance’s range. It can even be used like a generator to provide power to external emergency equipment. Then there’s the stretcher, which Nissan vaguely says is electrified to make it easier to use by the medical personnel. We presume the stretcher has an electric motor to make it easier to push around.

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Electric vehicle loan scheme in Nottingham provides blueprint for UK cities

March 25, 2020e-NV200, Electric Cars, Electric Vans, News, Reviews and Comment, Nissan, SalesRepost

A new 30-day ‘try before you buy’ electric vehicle loan scheme piloted by the Nottingham ULEV Experience project could act as a blueprint for other UK cities that are considering Clean Air Zones.

The scheme offers businesses and public sector organisations the opportunity of a fully-funded trial of electric cars and vans for 30 days and has been delivered by vehicle leasing firm DriveElectric for the Nottingham ULEV Experience project for the last two years, helped by Nottingham City Council’s Go Ultra Low funding.

And the firm says similar EV loan schemes could be adopted by other cities around the UK that are implementing measures such as Clean Air Zones to improve air quality.

The loans enable fleets to trial vehicles for longer than vehicle dealership loans, and include latest electric vehicles such as the Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia e-Niro and electric vans; positive feedback has been received about the Nissan e-NV200 van in particular.

A total of 52 organisations in Nottingham have enjoyed 72 EV loans over the last 18 months, with 20 EVs being adopted as a result so far.

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Nissan Has Served Up A Treat With This Electric Ice Cream Van

July 2, 2019e-NV200, Electric Vans, News, Reviews and Comment, NissanRepost

An electric vehicle you’ll hear coming.

Nissan has partnered with the famous Mackies of Scotland to create a rather sweet concept vehicle.

The electric vehicle pioneers and the ice cream brand have collaborated to create an all-electric ice cream van for “Clean Air Day” in the U.K. on June 20th, which demonstrates how a “Sky to Scoop” approach can remove carbon dependence at every stage of “the ice cream journey.”

Going green is nothing new for Mackies, which powers its family-owned dairy farm by renewable wind and solar energy, but most ice cream vans across Britain are powered by diesel engines which stay running even when the van is stopped to power the fridges and freezers onboard.

In fact, some U.K. towns and cities are even looking to ban ice cream vans – which is a preposterous thought, even for someone like me who can’t eat ice cream. Nissan’s new concept provides something of a solution to the impending doom of the good old ice cream van, reducing its carbon footprint while keeping kids happy and parents predictably out of pocket.

Nissan e-NV200 sales soar as UK small businesses electrify their van fleets

June 26, 2019e-NV200, Electric Cars, Electric Vans, News, Reviews and Comment, NissanRepost

UK sales of Nissan e-NV200 increase by 200% as business leaders switch to zero emission deliveries
e-NV200 tops zero-emissions LCV sales in 10 European markets, including UK, Italy, Norway and the Netherlands
The Nissan e-NV200’s environmental credentials and practicality attracts fleet customers including DHL, Chronopost, in adddition to private hire businesses

LONDON, UK (June 14, 2019) – UK sales of the fully electric Nissan e-NV200 have increased by 200% in 2019 as small business leaders look to increase fleet efficiency and reduce costs, amid changing emissions legislation and the introduction of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone.

The surging demand echoes the results of a recent Nissan survey, showing that 24% of UK small businesses expect van fleets to be fully electric within a decade*.

1 in 3 UK van fleet operators also say that business efficiency is their main motivation when adopting new technologies, followed by cost saving (17%). The e-NV200 is perfect for addressing this demand, with running costs from 2p per mile, and zero tailpipe emissions that ensure the vehicle is exempt from low emission charge zones.

Paolo D’Ettore, Director LCV Business Unit Nissan Europe, said

“The success of e-NV200 truly demonstrates that we have the right product at the right time. The acceleration of fleet electrification – especially in city centres – is a challenge for our customers, so we recognise the need to work with them and provide the optimal ecosystem to support a smooth transition to electric vehicles.

“Thanks to its intelligent design and zero-emissions powertrain, the Nissan e-NV200 is the perfect tool to help businesses maximise their operational success and contribute to a more sustainable future.”

With particularly high demand from last-mile delivery businesses the 40kW e-NV200 has posted record sales across Europe, with over 10,000 orders since its introduction in February 2018.

Nissan’s e-NV200 transports seven electric style

January 13, 2019e-NV200, Electric Cars, Electric Vans, News, Reviews and Comment, NissanRepost

If you need to be able to transport up to seven people but thought electric motoring was not an option then think again.

Nissan has billed its e-NV200 Combi as the world’s first electric MPV.

It might not get the same sort of coverage at its higher profile stablemate the Nissan Leaf or more upmarket electric offerings like the Jaguar I-Pace and Tesla Model S but the e-NV200 certainly fills a niche and in many ways makes perfect sense.

Its van underpinnings (essentially it’s a version of the e-NV200 van) mean it might be just a little too rough and rugged for some but the ability to transport up to seven people and its immense practicality combine to make a fairly compelling USP.

There are both five and seven-seat versions of the e-NV200, though I would imagine most buyers will probably plump for the seven-seater.

The two seats in the third row can be folded up, while the middle-row three-seat bench can also be folded and tumbled out of the way, boosting carrying capacity.

According to Nissan it’s possible to accommodate three full-size bikes with all the seats out of the way.

My initial feeling when I set off in it for the first time was that of being in a kind of upmarket milk float – given the silence, its van-like character and high driving position.

However, once you get over its initial oddness the e-NV200 is a vehicle that is very easy to like and for eco-minded families it is absolutely perfect.

No doubt it will also prove attractive to taxi drivers and shuttle firms.