British Gas has launched the UK’s largest ever electric commercial vehicle pilot with 28 Nissan e-NV200 vans. The nationwide pilot will last for six months and will assess how the vans perform in winter conditions under typical British Gas home services usage patterns. 

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. has announced the start of field tests for the 100% electric e-NV200 compact van in Saitama City (Saitama Prefecture).

Saitama City is promoting the adoption of electric vehicles by linking up with a variety of stakeholders through its E-KIZUNA project. Begun in 2009, the project promotes EVs as a way to address global warming and realize a sustainable low-carbon society.

Nissan already commands a leading position in zero-emission passenger cars with the Nissan LEAF. Now the technology is being extended into commercial vehicles.

Coca-Cola in Japan has signed up to become the latest corporation to test the Nissan’s 100% electric van for commercial use ahead of its market launch at the end of fiscal year 2013.  

Electric delivery vehicles are perfect for busy inner cities where the lack of tailpipe emissions and their near silent running make life far more pleasant for those who live or work there.

Equally significantly, there’s ample opportunity to recharge batteries with growing networks of regular and quick chargers available on the streets.

But EVs could have an even bigger role to play in rural areas. Nissan is about to start field tests to see whether EVs – charged overnight at home – might, in fact, provide a lifeline for residents in areas where regular fuel stations are closing down due to falling demand from an ageing and shrinking population.