Built in Europe and available as an LCV or five-seat passenger car, the model is billed as combining class-leading cargo volume with award-winning zero-emission technology.

The result is said to be 40% lower for servicing costs and up to four times cheaper to fuel than diesel vehicles, whilst also offering a practical and sustainable city delivery vehicle.

Although the e-NV200 is based on the NV200 van along with key elements from the LEAF, Nissan says that around 30% of its components. There are styling changes, a re-engineered chassis, interior revision, a new battery pack and a higher capacity regenerative braking system.

In the coming year there will also be dedicated taxi versions of e-NV200 on the market, with the vehicle's home city of Barcelona in Spain being the first European city to adopt the e-NV200 as part of its taxi fleet.

The Nissan e-NV200 has a homologated NEDC range of 106 miles – which Nissan says is considerably more than the average 100km daily driving distance of 70% of the fleets using compact vans. In Europe 35% of this category of van never travel more than 120km in the life of the van.

The battery can be recharged overnight in eight hours using a domestic 16-amp single-phase 3.3 kW charger – reduced to four hours if the optional 6.6kW/32-amp charger is fitted and a suitable supply is used.

Alternatively, a dedicated CHAdeMO DC 50kW quick charger can recharge the battery to 80% capacity in as little as 30 minutes or less if the battery still holds some charge. Nissan says it is expected that e-NV200 fleet operators will install their own quick chargers at their place of business or works depots.

Jean-Pierre Diernaz, director of electric vehicles for Nissan Europe, said: ‘We believe e-NV200 will genuinely change the make-up of light van and taxi fleets as well as changing the environment in the heart of our cities. All of the 200,000 vans sold per year which never cover more than 100 km a day in their lifetime, could be replaced by e-NV200 without ever needing to stop to refuel during their working day. This simple fact, combined with the low running costs, capabilities and comfort make this a truly game-changing vehicle.’