Zero emissions vehicles are all the rage as of now and it would appear that almost every manufacture is working towards an example. Nissan already has the LEAF, which is a full-blown production vehicle, but that isn’t stopping them from testing new ideas. The commercial vehicle segment is growing and especially so in industrious Japan. To see if a zero emissions, fully electric utility van would actually work, Nissan will begin testing a new NV200 on the streets of Yokohama, Japan.
“The role that can be played by zero emissions vehicles in promoting a balance between economic growth and environmental protection in the realm of logistics is large” said Nissan Corporate Vice President Hideto Murakami. The test-bed in question will be the Japan Post Service which will receive an electric version of the Japanese NV200 van. The van will not get special treatment as it will carry out postal deliveries for two months.
The compact NV200 is on the same level as the similarly equipped Ford Transit Connect and has been available in both Japan and Europe since 2009. Recently, it was named to be the next generation New York City taxi which will be its first time in America. This makes one think that if the NV200 electic can make it in Yokohama and then survive New York City, perhaps a civilian version will make it into the hands of American consumers some time soon.
