The first official image of the Nissan e-NV200 has been released ahead of the start of production in mid 2014.
Initially scheduled to launch this year following the premiere of a concept at the beginning of 2012, Nissan will introduce the e-NV200 in Japan during the second half of 2014 before rolling it out to other markets around the world from 2015.
The Japanese car maker’s second EV following the compact Leaf hatchback will be produced at Nissan’s plant in Barcelona, Spain.
Nissan is yet to release final specifications of the e-NV200’s powertrain, though the production version is expected to mirror the concept in borrowing the Leaf’s 80kW/280Nm electric motor and 24kWh lithium-ion battery, giving it an anticipated range of close to 200km.
The e-NV200 will be available in both passenger and commercial van styles, giving it the versatility to act as an urban mini-bus or small business city runabout.
Nissan has already signed an agreement with the City of Barcelona to use the e-NV200 in its taxi fleet, while New York’s cab ranks will also begin to fill with the electric vans following its launch into the North American market.
Nissan says the e-NV200 will “eventually be sold worldwide”, though Nissan Australia is yet to commit to a timeline for the zero-emissions van.
The Nissan e-NV200 will make its public debut at this week’s Tokyo motor show, starting on November 20.
