Nissan has only released one official sketch of its upcoming NV200 all-electric commercial van, but now also have a picture of the van itself covered in FedEx livery as part of a short-term testing partnership in Europe.
Based on the standard NV200 launched earlier in early 2009, the electric vehicle version will likely share its powertrain with Nissan ’s Leaf EV.
“Collaboration is part of our global vehicle strategy,†said Dennis Beal, Vice President of Global Vehicles for FedEx Express. “Through collaboration we can exponentially improve and expedite what is possible. We value the opportunity Nissan has given us to provide experienced feedback and contribute to development of the best Nissan NV 200 possible.â€
Judging from the images the EV version of the NV200 will share much of its styling with the Leaf hatchback, including flowing headlights and a steeply raked windshield. If that is the case for the production model, than it appears to share much more in common with the LEAF than the NV200 commercial minivan it shares its namesake with. It also appears as though the Leaf’s baby blue paint scheme could become Nissan’s EV hue of choice.
Nissan touts the NV200 EV as a “low-cost multi-purpose vehicle†but failed to release any more details on the commercial van. However, the Japanese automaker did suggest the electric NV200 could be used as an ambulance or taxi, indicating it could be reserved for fleet services, at least at launch.
No exact time frame was given for the all-electric NV200, but with the Leaf launch in 2010, outsourced testing taking place in late 2011 and into early 2012, we expect to see the zero emissions van within two years at most.
