The van will be used on a number of delivery routes to assess its suitability as an alternative to a conventionally-powered van. Although it’s the first time the company has tested the e-NV200 in the United States, it follows similar trials in the UK, Japan, Singapore and Brazil.

It joins FedEx’s fleet of 167 electric and 365 hybrid vehicles, spread across the United States, France, Germany, Italy, China and Brazil, where six Renault Kangoo Z.E.s will have been deployed by the end of the month. The company also recently announced it was beginning trials of a hydrogen fuel cell range extender for its electric trucks in California.

Adopting new technology is said to have saved 2.4 million litres of fuel, and efforts to maximise the efficiency of its fleet using a broader mix of vehicles have allowed it to meet its 2020 CO2 emissions targets seven years early. Compared with 2005 levels, FedEx is now targeting a 30% reduction by 2020, rather than the initial 20%.

Mitch Jackson, vice president of Environmental Affairs and Sustainability, FedEx Corporation, said: ‘As a global fleet operator serving 220 countries and territories worldwide, FedEx is committed to improving the efficiency of its vehicles as part of our EarthSmart initiatives. We are pleased to continue our work with Nissan and bring the e-NV200 into test in North America.’

Nissan has been as broad with its pre-launch e-NV200 trials. For the last three years, the van has been deployed on fleets including DHL, Japan Postal Service, Coca-Cola and supermarket chain AEON in Japan, British Gas in the UK.

It has also been deployed field trial in Tochigi Prefecture to test its suitability for use in rural areas, and Nissan recently unveiled a London Taxi concept based on the e-NV200 as part of ongoing work to develop electric taxis in Barcelona, Tokyo, New York and London.