Please note: The Nissan e-NV200 Evalia electric SUV is no longer available for sale. It has been replaced by the electric Nissan Towstar.
Our test of the Nissan e-NV200: what do we think of this 100% electric van? It's the bestseller among electric vans: it's just topped the 10,000-order mark! And it's easy to see why! The Nissan Leaf is the world's best-selling electric car, with a hatchback, 5 seats and a very reasonable range for its class.
Based on the NV200 van, it meets the demand from professionals for 100% electric city and suburban travel. Does the e-NV200 have what it takes to become the king of electric vans? That's what we'll be testing today.
Better late than never
The Nissan e-NV200 in its 40 kWh configuration is the missing link in the range, which until 2017 had been evolving in 22 kWh.
Equipped with a more efficient battery, the SUV is capable of reaching a range of 200 km according to the new WLTP standard.
Our test of the Nissan e-NV200 exclusively in the city shows us that the 200 km is achievable and corresponds perfectly to professional use where it is rare to exceed 100 km/day .
Thanks to the direct drive and instant torque of the electric motor, the e-NV200 is easier to drive than the diesel NV200, and you benefit from lower running costs thanks to an electric charge that's more affordable than diesel.
An operating cost of €2/100 km
The electric NV200 is 160 mm longer than the diesel version, thanks in large part to a lengthened front section, resulting in improved pedestrian safety. This is useful in a van with such a quiet powertrain, although there's also an on-board sound generator that makes noise at speeds below 50 km/h. The new nose gets the charging point under the blue chrome badge, new LED strips in the lights and 15-inch alloy wheels.
The main advantage of buying an electric van will be running costs - the e-NV200 is likely to save owners a lot of money. Nissan reckons on €2/100 km (compared with €11/100 km for a combustion vehicle).
For a compact van, the e-NV200 offers plenty of cargo space: like the NV200 diesel, it has 4.2 cubic meters of volume in the rear, with a 2.04-meter load compartment. With an optional folding passenger seat that extends to 2.8 meters and a width of 1.22 meters at its narrowest point, the load compartment can hold two pallets.
However, as with any electric vehicle, the range may deter buyers. Although the 200 kilometer range is more than sufficient for LCV commuting, it's unlikely that this model will be used for long trips in a single trip.
More limited on freeways, the e-NV200's top speed is 122 km/h and will be reduced to 96 km/h when the battery is very low to optimize the vehicle's range.
It takes 6 hours to fully recharge the vehicle at a domestic charging point, or around 16 hours at a domestic socket. Fast charging enables the vehicle to be recharged from 0 to 80% in 40 minutes on a fast charging station, and is perfect for charging and discharging at a stop with a charge point. Charging is carried out using Type 2 and CHadeMO adapters for fast charging.
All e-NV200 vans are equipped with six load-securing points in the floor, and the bulkhead is available in several forms, including tubular, all-steel and with window. The five-seater Combi has folding rear seats, but these cannot be removed and reduce load space.
Hill-start assist, rearview camera and beeper when reversing are included on the e-NV200, making it easier to get around town and avoid bumps and scratches.
The interior of the e-NV200 is much the same as that of the NV200. However, it takes a few key features from the Nissan Leaf that enhance its shape.
We're a little disappointed by the quality of the plastics, but the e-NV200 features the Leaf's glossy black center console, which integrates satellite navigation, air conditioning and radio. The steering wheel and instrument display are also taken from the Leaf. Equipment includes Bluetooth, USB, rearview camera, air conditioning, heated seats and heated steering wheel.
The gear selector is fairly compact, but there could be more space around the driver given the size of the cab. Headroom is good, however.
Our video test of the Nissan e-NV200
Similar to its sibling, the Nissan Leaf and its technology, it is the result of the experience acquired by the brand since 2011. The electric motor produces 254 Nm of torque, enabling the van to remain agile.
The e-NV200 excels in city driving, thanks to the electric motor's instant response and unique gear ratio, it couldn't be easier to drive in a city-center traffic jam.
The e-NV200 beats its thermal sibling in payload, at 770 kg, and although the batteries are stored in the floor, the loading height is just 524 mm. Access is easy, with a sliding door on each side, plus the option of double rear doors or a tailgate elevator.
On faster roads, however, the e-NV200 can feel out of its comfort zone, with some rather unpleasant rocking when there's no load at the rear. There's a fair amount of body roll in corners, but it's more fun to drive than the NV200 diesel thanks to the high-torque electric motor and light steering.
The e-NV200 is more fun to drive than the classic NV200 thanks to its new engine, but the Ford Transit Connect still outshines it in terms of driving pleasure.
Nissan e-NV200 trim levels and prices
Some models are available with a system called Carwings, which allows the driver to start the air conditioning before entering it using a smartphone app. The app also lets you start and stop charging, and monitor battery levels.
With a price tag of €37,788, the Nissan e-NV200 has a lot going for it in the French LCV market. In addition to the €7,000 ecological bonus, as a professional you'll benefit from a number of grants (an extra €6,000 in the Ile de France region, for example), which will enable the e-NV200 to approach the fateful €25,000 mark.
