Nissan releases first sketch of its upcoming commercial electric vehicle

Nissan has released a concept sketch of its small electric van for commercial clients. Nissan’s next EV is based heavily off its new NV200 van. This plan actually began to take form a few years ago. Nissan had shown an interest in applying its EV technology across its portfolio, including commercial vehicles.

Nissan says that this EV van would allow paramedics, taxi drivers, and delivery services to enter urban areas where emissions are restricted. From this sketch, it’s notable that Nissan’s EV van will be an electrified version of its NV200 compact van that had been launched in Europe and Asia last year. The NV200 rides upon Nissan’s B-platform, which is similar to the architecture used for the firm’s new 2011 Leaf electric hatchback.

“The low-cost multi-purpose vehicle would allow ambulance drivers to drive directly into the hospital or van and taxi drivers to enter urban areas where CO2 emissions are restricted. The van is one of four electric vehicles Nissan has announced for the future.

At the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, Carlos Ghosn, president and CEO of Nissan, said LEAF – the world’s first mass market affordable EV – will be launched in Japan and the US in late 2010, Europe in 2011 with global mass-marketing efforts to begin in 2012.

At the show, Ghosn also announced plans to release a four-seater Infiniti electric compact car, as well as LandGlider, a totally new concept which combines the best of two- and four-wheel vehicles.”