Japanese automaker Nissan Motor in collaboration with the Portland General Electric (PGE) will start testing its prototype electric commercial vehicle - the Nissan e-NV200 in Portland.
The companies will conduct a six-week trial to in the regions to determine the viability of an electric commercial vehicle in the US market.
As part of the move, PGE has added the e-NV200 into its fleet of vehicles with an underground crew by replacing a larger diesel-powered van.
Nissan US EV Marketing director Toby Perry said Oregon has been a top five market for Nissan LEAF sales in the US due to proactive policies at the state level to encourage EV adoption, as well as robust charging infrastructure championed by the state and others like PGE.
"If we determine that e-NV200 fits into the US commercial vehicle market, we expect that Portland would be a leading driver for sales as well," Perry added.
In 2014, Nissan will deploying two e-NV200 prototypes in association with companies such as PGE and FedEx across US EV markets like California, Georgia, Oregon and Washington, to evaluate use of EVs in businesses.
PGE business development director Charlie Allcock said EVs have already demonstrated their value as a sustainable choice for personal use, and fleet electrification is the logical next step.
"We're excited to see firsthand the impact the e-NV200 can have on our own fleet and to help other companies understand the potential it represents for them," Allcock added.
Earlier, Nissan had announced its plans to launch its e-NV200 vehicles across Europe summer and in Japan in late 2014.
