It is not as sexy as a Tesla.
It is not as everyday as a Nissan Leaf.
It is not as futuristic as a BMW i3.
It is not as unique as a Chevy Volt.
It is not as radical as a BMW i8.
What is it?
It is the Nissan e-NV200 all electric compact cargo van!
Above photo from: http://insideevs.com/nissan-e-nv200-sale-japan-october/
It is a small cargo-utility van based on the successful Nissan NV200 fossil fuel powered cargo van but it is powered by the motor and drive train of the all electric Nissan Leaf!
Above photo from: http://latestheadlinenews.org/2013/11/22/nissan-e-nv200-ev-tokyo-2013/
The eNV200 is a wonderful and incredibly practical cargo vehicle that will benefit so many large and small businesses, taxi, Uber and Lyft drivers, shuttle and delivery companies, nonprofits, schools, churches and other organizations as well as families that need to tote around several people, cargo, and animals, on a daily basis. Its beauty is not only found in its practicality and simplicity, but also the very low cost of operation due to its all electric drive train that has been proven by the astounding success of the Nissan Leaf.
Above photo from: http://www.nissanusa.com/content/dam/nissan/future-and-concept-vehicles/e-nv200/gallery/6_large.jpg
Above photo from: http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/nissan/e-nv200/first-drives/nissan-e-nv200-combi-first-drive-review
Above photo from: https://chargedevs.com/newswire/avis-denmark-orders-401-nissan-e-nv200-vans-and-60-more-leafs/
Unfortunately, this wonderful, small, electric utility van is not offered in the USA…yet.
Since it’s debut in early 2014 I have been patiently waiting for a revelation form Nissan about when the e-NV200 all electric small utility van will be released in the USA.
I have thoroughly searched the internet and found several great articles, reviews and open-ended, non committal commentary such as these.
http://www.nissanusa.com/future-and-concept-vehicles/e-nv200
https://chargedevs.com/newswire/avis-denmark-orders-401-nissan-e-nv200-vans-and-60-more-leafs/
http://2016nissancars.com/nissan-e-nv200-usa/
http://www.caranddriver.com/news/nissan-e-nv200-electric-van-photos-and-info-news
http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/07/nissans-e-nv200-now-available-japan-us-release-delayed/
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1092704_driving-nissan-e-nv200-all-electric-small-commercial-van
http://www.autoblog.com/2014/06/13/nissan-expands-us-ev-test-market-for-e-nv200-to-portland/
The debut at the Washington Auto Show:
Or follow the link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk9USADkx5A
2016 Nissan eNV200 review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjMAchflGf0
Or follow the link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjMAchflGf0
A review by Robert Llewellyn of Fully ChargedOr follow the link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcf-NSkPE_w
Another good review of the eNV200
More from Fully ChargedOr follow the link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGFt3i3kLqM
A video review by the Red FerretOr follow the link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGxN2uShN5c
The Dalbury E: http://insideevs.com/nissan-e-nv200-transformed-worlds-first-electric-camper-van/
Dalbury E videoOr follow the link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb1JTOrdbKU
As you can see the eNV200 is a very capable vehicle that is loved by many and, as far as I am concerned, its obvious benefits as a small, electric cargo vehicle outweigh any current range limitations. Unfortunately, I assume that from Nissan’s business point of view – this is not a practical outlook and I fully understand that position.
However, if Tesla can make a vehicle with a range close to 351 miles…and Chevy can make a car with a range of 238 miles why is Nissan taking so long to catch up, make a longer range battery, and get the eNV200 on the roads here in the USA?
I have questioned the “authorities” at Nissan in person and online and all I get is vague open-ended comments that lead nowhere and on one occasion a Nissan associate even attempted to re-direct me to another subject…hmmmm…why all the cloak and dagger…? It is just a van…not an issue of national security.
After all my research and I have finally come to the conclusion that either-
- Nissan is working on and/or waiting on battery technology that will offer the longer ranges that many sources have reported will be in the next generation Leaf. This technology could obviously then be applied to the van and thereby make it much more appealing to the US market where the average person drives a longer distance each day than in Japan, Europe, and the UK where the van has been available for the last year or so. I would welcome longer range between charges so if this is the case I have no issue waiting.
- Nissan is planning to release the van alongside the redesigned Leaf in 2017 -possibly with the same battery options as with the second generation Leaf.
- Nissan has the technology in place for a 200+ mile range Leaf and/or van but is waiting to release the car at a later date in order to dispose of the current stock of older technologies.
- Nissan is no better than all the other fossil fuel fired car companies and in bed with the oil companies and does not care at all about EV’s – they are only producing the EV’s they now produce as compliance cars in order to offset the toxic effects of their other more polluting offerings such as the over-the-top nasty GT-R over 100k gas guzzling sports car or massive guzzler the Titan XD pickup.
- Or…Nissan is not planning on releasing the eNV200 in the USA.
Option one and option two make the most sense from my point of view.
Option three I can understand as well but I do not believe it to be the case as the technology in the Leaf and the van is essentially the same so one would think that Nissan would produce all the EV vans and Leafs it had in stock in order to maximize profits in order to produce the next generation of EV’s/vans with more capable range.
Option four…if this is the case I will have lost loads of faith in Nissan as a forward thinking company in position to rule the EV market.
Option five…well, I truly hope it is not an option.
Nissan Light Commercial Vehicles product planner Evan Fulton stated in this article that “If we had, say, a thousand business owners waiting, we could move very quickly.” Well, I would be one of those business owners that would put an eNV200 to purposeful, and highly visible daily use should it become available in the USA so that leaves only 999 more businesses and individuals to get on-board with the eNV200 to possibly count for something. If you are interested in the eNV200 please, PLEASE do contact Nissan or at the very least comment on this blog posting with your interest because Nissan needs to know there is interest so that the eNV200 will become a reality.
UPDATE as of August 2017: Hey Nissan, just look a the comments to this blog. It looks like people in this country really want the eNV200 so why are you still dragging your feet? Let’s do this thing!
Above photo from: http://www.trucktrend.com/cool-trucks/163-1201-nissan-env200-concept-photo-gallery/photo-gallery/#photo-10
I am usually a very patient person but just knowing that there are eNV200’s all over the roads in many other parts of the world, and that real people are enjoying daily use of these remarkable cargo-utility vehicles for purposes very similar to my needs…I just could not take the suspense any longer so a few months ago (years now) I wrote Nissan HQ in Atlanta in the hopes of being considered as a product tester for the eNV200. Below is the letter for what it’s worth…
——————————————————–
Blue Water Leaf 
We will not see ENV200 in USA anytime soon. You can buy from Barcelona if you want.
Forgot about it. Nissan didn’t bring it in 2013, not in 2014 not in 2015.
Hopefully that just means they are working on getting it right for the demanding US market.
I thought about shipping one over…but that would be expensive and probably would void the warranty…I can wait…but then again I believe VW is releasing an EV van…Nissan may loose out to VW believe it or not.
VW is concept. which means nonexistent. Leaf has 5 years of proven records. . It is not expensive as you don’t pay VAT in Spain. I don’t know about warranty. It is electrical car and it lasts forever. What is your risk in dollars? A defective module should be changed out for a few $100, looking at the Nissan leaf stats,
They definitely will lose out without their ex CEO, Carlos Ghosn? In my eyes the current CEO has slept through a few opportunities and Nissan will be late. The Nissan Leaf being the only offering on the table for Nissan is unacceptable.
We thought of buying in Barcelona and bringing it to the states. Not really viable. While it may pass CARB, the only way to prove road worthiness is to make several models available to NHTSA who would crash test vehicle and an maybe then approve to get it registered in California.
I would love one for my family can’t wait to see them in the US market. I’ll be watching.
If you can get on Nissan’s facebook page and tell them your interest in a e-NV200 and why. https://www.facebook.com/NissanElectric/
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I am a small business owner and the env200 what fit the company needs perfectly. Please Nissan, make it available here in the states.
If you can get on Nissan’s facebook page and tell them your interest in a e-NV200 and why. https://www.facebook.com/NissanElectric/
Thanks for the letter I have been waiting also hopefully Nissan will send the van
Put me on the list, I live in Austin and never run out of electricity in my Volt, but I have run out of seats for the family!
Ditto here. Love my Leaf but 6 passengers is a problem. We loved driving around as a family in our Leaf! Please Nissan!
Thanks for the letter. I very much hope the postal service is considering this vehicle for mail delivery service. Large enough volumes to interest you, Mr. Ghosn?
This is a perfect answer to wanting something more room for cargo/people than available in the tiny car, style EV market. I really hope this is going to be available in the US soon! I am tired of searching for EVs that make me feel like they are a compromise to what I really want or need.
I am likewise waiting on this van or a VW Caddy version. Don’t have time to write such a long and persuasive letter to Nissan as you did. It’s frustrating that it was ignored by Nissan. We customers really are just cash machines to be milked according to their production and marketing plans…I have a small bakery and deliver my bread by ELF electric tricycle for 8 months/year but need something for the winter as well as my wife’s business deliveries which are soups and sauerkrauts – too heavy for the ELF… Currently I’m considering the Kia Soul EV but the NV-200 would be better suited to my needs.
We are in the process of purchasing Soul ev and having the seats taken out to build a solid platform for the rear as a mail delivery vehicle for our University. I’ll let you know how it goes. I drive a Kia Soul ev for personal use and love the car.
I am a disabled individual on fixed income. My wife and I can afford a new car, but would like one that is large and electric. We don’t own a business, but this Nissan little electric vehicle would suit our purposes. It’s large enough to accommodate my battery operated scooter and we don’t drive that far anymore! I hate gas prices and auto repair bills that an electric wouldn’t have. Come on Nissan, let’s have this car in the states!
You are a perfect candidate to share your needs and why current Ev’s cannot fill them. If you can get on Nissan’s facebook page and tell them your interest in a e-NV200 and why. https://www.facebook.com/NissanElectric/
I would buy an nv200 today.
Count me in as one of 999 wannabe eNV200 owners. I love our Leaf but so does the rest of the family and a van would better suit my contractor needs. Seattle is a perfect market- Lotsa Leafs, lots of small vans (Fords), many of whom I suspect would gladly switch to carbon free vehicle to promote their businesses’s green creds and save $ (Seattle’s Electricity is inexpensive and>90% hydroelectric generated).
It’s 2016 and I am also still waiting since the original debut of this van in Europe and Japan. We are a family of 4 and are currently driving our second set of 2 Leafs. We wanted the van ever since we read about it. There’s a bunch of takers here already, we would be yet 2x more E-NV 200 takers… Come on Nissan!
I would buy this today, too! I am also disabled, so I need room in the cargo for my scooter and wheelchair, and I badly want an electric vehicle. This is it! Please Nissan, make it available in the U.S.!
Here in Canada too we wait for it. Hope it will come with the new 60kw batterie pack
I think the eNV200 will come to the U.S. when Nissan comes out (commercially) with the new 60 kWh battery pack that will be on the upcoming (new) 2017 / 2018 Nissan Leaf. This will give the van greater range and have a larger customer base.
Hey, everyone that it interested in this. Get on Nissan’s facebook page and blow it up with your need for a e-NV200. https://www.facebook.com/NissanElectric/ If you are like me you don’t have the patience or time to write a full on letter, but a quick facebook post is easy! Demand is made, not found. Oh, and the e-NV200 also just happens to be 2 out of the 3 vehicles on their cover photo.
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I would buy one if avalible.
Have a 2013 Leaf with 34,000 miles. Have been trying to have Nissan here in Guam bring two vans in as it should not be too much of a problem since the dealership is owned by Nissan.
Nothing yet but not giving up.
I would buy one is available. I need to carry a Large dogs a miniature Donkeys and 2 recumbent trikes and 2 kayaks or canoes.
I think Nissan would sell A LOT of these here in the US.
And as solar power grows, free charging is coming.. at home we are now off the grid.
I’ve been driving the e-NV200 and e-NV200 Evalia (7 seater) for a few weeks in Europe this summer, and it does the job. My only problem is the range. Should be 25% longer, or more. Make it an option, and just adjust the price. Those who need extra range pay a bit more.
Leaf has a new battery, but the e-NV200 still uses the old one. That makes is a no buy for me at the moment. I would also love to see it as a 8 seater. Insted of the two seats in the back, there should be a three seater suitable for my children.
I tested the Nissan in Norway, visiting family. They said it was a waiting list for several month for the Evalia version at least. Maybe that is the reason it’s not available in the US. Maybe the Barcelona factory is not able to manufacture enough to cover demand?
Or maybe they are thinking about places like Arizona and other very warm states, and how they must redesign the battery to get proper cooling.
I think they should to a minor redesign of the car as well to improve driver safety AND add more electronic safety features.
Nissan must be quick, because competition is coming.
I’ve heard that Peugeot / Citroèn will come with an electric drivetrain to this model:
http://www.carscoops.com/2015/12/these-are-new-peugeot-traveller-citroen.html
What Toyota will do . . . I’m not sure.
In Norway people was really waiting for the VW Eurovan/Caravelle/Transporter as an electric car. A bit larger too. VW have said they will release 20 new electric car models in just a short time. VW is a manufacturing machine, and volume is allways important. I think they would go global from day one, to get the volume they need. Electric is still a small percentage of the overall car sales.
Some said that Renault Trafic would be available before the VW, because Renault is selling several electric cargo vans now. They said that (in Norway) if a company bought 3 of the smaller Renault cargo vans, Renault would install (and pay for) a powerful charger at the company. It would charge from 0-80% in like 20-25 minutes.
They are already selling the Renault Zoe to everybody, and a quick charger is installed for free at the customers home. Renault Zoe has a longer range too, and they think the Trafic model will have an OK range.
In Norway one in four new cars is electric. Still just a fraction of the overall numbers of cars in use, but in a few years people will feel the change. Where I live now, in Seattle there are also more electric cars on the road. The change is coming, but need more electric cars to choose from, they must look OK, have a competitive overall price, and a range most people can live with. Since cars are super cheap here in the US, compared to Norway – we can not use the same incentives to sell electric cars. Cost of ownership is more important. Low noise, clean air, be able to charge at home, .
There will always be 15-20% that drive really long distances, that need Tesla range or more. A good charging infrastructure will take care of most of those. As long at there are models to choose from. I think the sales figures of the Volt will be important. Good sales = more models in the near future. Only a few will need a gas/hydrogen/diesel car in 10 years time.
Here is a different reason for the delay in introduction of the eNV200 in North America. Nissan can barely sell the LEAFS that it produces. The eNV200 would directly compete with Nissan’s LEAF, because a significant number of people that would normally buy a LEAF would choose a more spacious eNV200 instead. The result would be insufficient demand for the LEAF for Nissan to keep its factory busy. North Americans are too slow to realize the benefits of electric cars. There is not as much demand as one would expect if buyers were rational. When Nissan finally does introduce the eNV200, it will be a buyer’s market for all the used LEAFS that people dump in favor of an eNV200. Maybe then even the sceptics will finally switch to electric cars.
If the Bolt comes to Guam first, I’ll get it. Can’t be waiting for the van which may never be available.
Interesting.
I too waiting for an e-campervan.
I understand your reasoning but I can say I think that most families will always need more than one car and after recently getting a 2016 107 mile Leaf that we love (for the environment), we can’t wait to replace our Toyota Sienna van (with exhaust catalytic converter issues) with this Nissan eNV200 van. Charger stations are increasing now and since we are retired we would only need those infrequently. Please bring it to the US. People I see would use both a smaller hatchback type along with a minivan for carrying dogs, bikes, camping, etc.! Also, Nissan should be stating how electric vehicles don’t emit the HEAT that gas cars do!! Big point for global warming when there are how many millions of cars out there!
I’d be interested in an electric mid-sized cargo van with reasonable range. Ideally I’d like to purchase an eNV300 with a 60kw battery but the eNV200 might do the job with a 40-60kw battery. I’d never be interested in a LEAF; it’s just a comparison point to determine reliability of the electronics/battery. Restricting choice doesn’t force us to buy the only electric option offered, it forces us to buy gasoline vehicles that fit our needs which will be chosen from the better of the many competing options out there. No one is doing mass produced electric cargo vans in the USA at the moment. There are expensive up fits for gasoline trucks and a few small companies that deal with large fleet contracts with concept vans but nothing for the average small business. Whoever gets to market first with a reliable electric or phev midsize cargo van with reasonable range for American cities/metros will win. Americans love mid sized vans/minivans and the economy runs on millions of small businesses. Will it be the Nissan eNV200/300, the Ford Custom PHEV, the Mercedes eMetris… Who knows, but until demand is met people are going to keep driving 12mpg vans.
It’s almost 2019 and all we keep getting is talk and disappointment.
I wrote to Nissan myself today. At first I chatted with someone from Nissan online who told me the e-NV200 was just a concept car and not in production. That was interesting considering she was representing Nissan. We maybe do need to all go to the Facebook page and post comments about our need for these ev vans. I work for a University that would buy a dozen of these right away if we could get our hands on them.
Like you I have scoured the Internet to find info about its release date. Thank you for addressing this topic. I too dream of it being released with linger range but I need a vehicle now since mine is kaput. I am going to have to buy something I don’t really want bc this vehicle has been held back year after year. Ugh. Maybe the Kia Soul ev can be turned into a camper for one…but I’m not that short.
Keep after this topic. I can’t believe noone is putting pressure on them to release the dam vehicle now 🚐 TIK-TOK Nissan!
I believe those big oil companies stop env200 available in North America. Compare to Europe, there aren’t too much practical EV options here available in North America. I don’t trust Pacifica from Chrysler. They’re just assembly with poor quality
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Hope they will still release it here in the US.
Even with the short range of the battery it still doesn’t make sense that they wouldn’t release here.
Please keep us posted.
any updates WNC? I want a e-NV200.
Wow. I feel hesitant posting now with the last post being almost a year ago. That being said, I discovered this car on the internet a few days ago and have been looking up any article or video I can find online. And now I found this website and had no idea so many others want one here in the USA. I thought I had weird taste that would not be shared by many others, but I guess I am wrong.
I agree that the NV200 could do well here. Using myself as an example, recently I wanted to get an extra car for commuting and putting miles on. I considered the Nissan Cube, Scion xB and Honda Element. They kind of have a style that you hate or love, but they are all no longer in production. I guess I could find a used one but wait… there’s the Transit Connect. That’s kind of unique looking. However, I’ve had more Nissans in the family and plus, none of the previously mentioned are… electric. I had a Tesla Model S for 2 years but sold it, not because I didn’t like it but due to financial reasons and I truly miss having an EV. I have two kids who will be five and two next year and I just can’t fathom putting them in an i3, a Volt or even a new Leaf. That being said, I think this electric NV200 would be perfect. So that’s just my reason. I’m sure commercial applications would be huge also but there is also that market that would normally gravitate towards something like a Cube, xB or Element but with nothing new to turn to now. This new e-NV200 would be cool plus it is electric. (I know you wouldn’t really put the Cube, xB or Element in the same class with the NV200 because it’s a van… but I just find them appealing because of their uniqueness. Having a growing family would make the van a plus also.)
I will now try to post on the Nissan Electric page… hopefully it’s still there.
I live in Seattle and own a Leaf and bought one of the first. Why do the Japanese release their greenest cars in Europe first? I can’t get the e-NV200 or the Mitsubishi PHEV Outlander. I can only guess the U.S. doesn’t promote real pollution solutions and the oil industry does what they can to discourage EVs. Keeping my fingers crossed.
I love to have the coolest and the least costly REEFER Van built in North America after buying my e-NV200 fleet. I already talked to Volta Air for the Full Electric Refrigeration Unit at http://www.voltaair.com and ready to make lots of money. Volta Air e-Fer units don’t need an engine and runs on the Solar.
I just posted on their Facebook page about it. I’m considering starting a petition to bring it to the USA, especially since they already have the gasoline NV200 available, and Chevrolet is also selling it as the City Express.
I’ve been looking around for 6+ seats in any type of electric vehicle. I’m interested in the e-NV200 and refuse to go back to vegetable oil in a diesel engine (did that for 5 years)or worse still, gas. Can’t afford a Tesla. The comment about importing one from Spain is tempting but I’m not sure Canada would allow that. We really need a Nissan news release to start selling the e-NV200 in North America.
Hi Nissan Are you listening? Send me 3 e-NV200 white cargo vans to Vancouver B.C. 40 kw batteries please. I’ve been waiting for 6 years since I bought my 2012 Leaf. What is the problem? Get with the program.
Wow, you operate a 501c3 and use your personal 2013 Leaf for it. Me too! I operate Learning Equipment Supply Service (501c3) in southern California, and I use my personal 2013 Leaf for it.
I would love to buy an eNV200 for it instead, even with the same range as the 2013 Leaf
Please advise when e-nv200 is available for consumer purchase in U.S. Will buy immediately. Thank you.
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/forget-nio-and-xpeng-this-company-and-tesla-will-be-the-top-2-electric-vehicle-plays-by-2025-says-ubs-11615306959 This is what will happen to Nissan They will miss the boat because of their lack of vision and testicle fortitude. They once reigned as the largest EV manufacturer with the Leaf. Soon they will be forgotten.