The e-NV200 will be used a s a regional sales vehicle in Yokohama, recharged only at night to minimise grid impact and test if overnight charging is enough to meet drivers’ needs during the day.

It follows similar trials with the Japan Postal Service and supermarket chain AEON in Japan, British Gas in the UK and FedEx in Japan and the UK. Most recently, the test vehicle has been used in a field trial in Tochigi Prefecture to test its suitability for use in rural areas.

Results from the trials are being used to ready the van for a commercial launch in the 2014 fiscal year, with European models scheduled to be built alongside the conventional NV200 at Nissan’s plant in Barcelona. Nissan is also considering an e-NV200 London Taxi, depending on stakeholder interest.