Nissan e-NV200 electric Evalia DHL. (Credit: Nissan Motor Company)After a series of field tests in Saitama City (Japan), Nissan and DHL Japan will continue with the testing of an electric e-NV200 commercial vehicle prototype in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. Tokyo Trial results and feedback will shape the further development of this urban delivery compact van.
The test will be conducted with a view to the commercial launch of the e-NV200 in 2014. Nissan will provide DHL Japan with a test model of the e-NV200 for approximately three weeks. This prototype will be used for the delivery of packages to companies and commercial facilities around the Marunouchi District of Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. DHL and Nissan will evaluate the vehicle’s potential and the practical usability, taking into consideration its economic and environmental performance. Valuable feedback gleaned from the field test will be reflected in the future development of the vehicle.
Under its global environmental program, “Go Green,” DHL and its parent company, Deutsche Post DHL, have established a group-wide goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 30% from 2007 levels by the year 2020. To that end, it is putting in place initiatives such as introducing the use of environmentally friendly vehicles and setting up energy-conservation equipment in its facilities. It is the first logistics company to introduce a carbon-neutral delivery service, DHL Go Green, and has plans to make the progressive switch to electric vehicles in Germany, where Group Headquarters is located. As part of this active promotion of environmental activities around the world, DHL Japan is also currently in the process of considering the expansion of its fleet of environmentally friendly vehicles, including the introduction of electric vehicles (EVs). The needs of Nissan and DHL Japan coincided in this aspect, leading to the realization of the field test. Nissan is running this kind of proving test with several large commercial fleets to understand how the e-NV200 test car performs under real operating conditions.
Tests have been conducted with several companies, including British Gas, Japan Post Co., and AEON Retail Ltd. So far the eNV200 has received positive comments for its quiet, comfortable driving with no emissions and low noise, CO2 reduction, and generous carrying capacity. Feedback will help Nissan tailor future battery-powered light commercial vehicles to better fulfill exact customer requirements.
