The e-NV200 concept takes strong styling cues from the LEAF, including its Aqua Blue paintwork, blue accents and charging flap on the front. But it’s not only a visual similarity, as the van also shares its sibling’s all-electric drivetrain. Nissan said it will offer companies much lower running costs than a conventional commercial vehicle.

Inside, the van features a specialised electric vehicle dashboard display and the LEAF’s bright, airy interior colour palette. Nissan has also fitted its advanced telematics system, with a tablet-style flat display.

Hideto Murakami, corporate vice president of Nissan Motor Co., said: ‘With its ‘no gas, no tailpipe, no emissions' powertrain, the Nissan e-NV200 Concept combines a quiet, comfortable driving experience with a large, highly versatile, functional interior space within a compact overall body length.

‘A potentially game-changing vehicle in its segment, the battery capacity will support a driving range similar to the Nissan LEAF, while payload and cargo space will offer the same level as the current NV200.  The production version would be targeted mainly at businesses, but also at private users or families in major regions.’

Nissan has already trialed electric NV200 test vans in London and Hiroshima in Japan, while further programmes are in the pipeline. The conventional NV200 was recently named Taxi of Tomorrow by the New York Taxi Authority, and a small fleet of LEAFs are already being trialed as yellow cabs in the city. A production e-NV200 could provide a future taxi solution with zero tailpipe emissions at its point of use.