Nissan e-NV200 may not be a ‘good fit’ for North America

After years of anticipation and build-up to this summer/fall’s release, it sounds like Nissan is getting cold feet about the electric van market in North America.

In a recent article on Automotive News, Nissan’s Cheif Planning Officer Andy Palmer said the e-NV200 is undergoing trial runs with US and Canadian fleet customers.

“The question is the distance and, of course, the charging infrastructure. We still think it’s appropriate, but we haven’t made a decision yet whether to go with the e-NV.”

According to Palmer, initial introductions in Europe and Japan make more sense because of the shorter runs that delivery trucks typically make, and Japan has a well-developed charging infrastructure.

The e-NV200 will go on sale in Japan in October, priced between 3.88 million yen ($37,900) and 4.79 million yen ($46,700). Nissan aims to sell 500 units a month in Japan, where it qualifies for up to 850,000 yen ($8,295) in incentives.

On the Nissan e-NV200 forum, it looks like deliveries of the electric van are already under way in some European countries.

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11 Comments on "Nissan e-NV200 may not be a ‘good fit’ for North America"

  1. I really hope that Nissan sells this EV van here in the US. I think the market for it would be larger than they might imagine. An inexpensive to operate and to maintain vehicle of this size has a lot of possible uses.

  2. I really hope that they will sell to us too. I have been waiting for this kind of electric van for a while.

  3. Curious. This is the kind of vehicle that we need in the US. Nissan will roll this out everywhere BUT THE LARGEST CAR MARKET IN THE WORLD? Wonder why that is?

  4. Sounds to me like Nissan is thinking of the eNV200 as only a commercial vehicle. That’s a big mistake. Market it in the US as a minivan instead, with a stripped version for commercial use.

    Minivans are used in short-hop suburban environments all the time. That’s how I want to use mine. Give it minivan seating, but make the seats removable to provide real hauling capability.

    Also, infrastructure is less of a problem if the range is increased. 200 mile EVs are coming soon, so why not bump the eNV200 up to at least 150 miles? Most people wouldn’t need any more infrastructure than their home charger.

    The smartest thing to do would be to make an additional range option – 80 miles standard, 150 miles optional.

  5. Russ Congdon | December 6, 2014 at 1:38 am |

    I agree completely with CTROMLEY….it is a suburban minivan. Perfect for seniors; if seats are removable there is could room for a wheelchair, folding scooter, walker, etc. I want one!

  6. ctromley hit it on the head, market the eNv200 towards the home market, and maybe make one later for commercial use. I’ve really wanted one for a while but finally got tired of waiting and purchased a Leaf, which I’m glad I did if it sounds like Nissan is getting cold feet! I like the Leaf but don’t care for it’s smaller size and minimal storage, the eNv200 would be a much better fit for me. Increase the range to 150-200 miles and all the better, the Leaf’s 60-80 mile range is adequate at best and simply putting the existing drive train in a Nv I’m guessing would only yield a 50-60 mile range, not really enough to be practical for many.
    I’m sure there must be a reason but I really can’t see why mfgs. don’t offer several battery sizes for people to order, smallest for someone trying to keep things the cheapest(like the low end trim models) and larger for people that want more range and can afford it(like higher trim models) sounds simple enough to me…..but then what do I know, I’m just a consumer wanting to purchase something nobody seems to want to sell…..

  7. James Haberberger | February 26, 2015 at 8:37 pm |

    I drive a 2013 Nissan LEAF in South Carolina and I am waiting for the E-NV200 to come out for the United States. If Nissan is truly looking at a larger battery pack for the LEAF than the same battery pack would be great for the E-NV200. I would absolutely buy a larger battery pack for my LEAF if it came available.

  8. Steve Hanrahan | March 9, 2015 at 8:55 pm |

    The waiting has taken to long. Finally purchased a used Ford Transit Connect. Come on Nissan. The eNV200 is perfect for a small business person like myself. My business involves a lot of local driving and I can charge the car at home at night. Take a look around at all the Transit Connects that are driving around making local deliveries. How about putting some of the eNV200’s in the hands of small business people here in the U.S.A. as a test.
    I also agree with the above comments about the non-commercial potential of the vehicle. Let some of the soccer moms (and dads) get in the driver’s seat.
    FYI, my other vehicle is a 2012 Mitsubishi I-Miev electric.

    • Yep, we all agree that the e-NV200 would do well in North America. I guess Nissan doesn’t agree, or they have enough orders in Europe that they don’t need to bother with North America until they can handle it (like Mitsubishi with the Outlander PHEV). Did you get a Transit Connect Electric or gasoline?

  9. Courtland Goetz | April 17, 2015 at 2:54 pm |

    As a small business owner this is what I’m looking for plus a local runabout for off times. Nissan, you have people nocking at the door with money in hand – COME ON!
    Sell the e NV200 here in the States.

    • I’m in the process of downsizing/selling my Winnebago 2004 Rialta and considered the NV200, but I wanted to go all-electric and was excited to read about it’s use in other countries. It would make for a wonderful urban camper, hauler, etc. that would be so economical!

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