The vehicle, which uses the same powertrain and battery setup as the LEAF, joins a 43-strong fleet of electric commercials in use globally by FedEx of which more than half were added as recently as July.

Dennis Beal, vice president of global vehicles for FedEx Express, said: ‘Collaboration is part of our global vehicle strategy. Through collaboration we can exponentially improve and expedite what is possible.  We value the opportunity Nissan has given us to provide experienced feedback and contribute to development of the best Nissan NV200 possible.’

The trial is one of several underway at Nissan. In July, Japan Postal Service began a similar two-month trial of the electric NV200 van in Yokohama.

New York’s Taxi and Limousine Commission, which recently named the NV200 Taxi of Tomorrow, is real-world testing the LEAF as a private hire vehicle with plans to introduce an electric taxi in future. Nissan said it sees light commercial vehicle and business-to-business products as the next step in its sustainable mobility plans.

Hideto Murakami, Nissan corporate vice president, added: ‘Zero-emission vehicles like Nissan LEAF are already playing an increasingly significant environmental role in our towns and cities. The Nissan NV200 EV prototype delivery vehicle will not only improve the quality of urban life, but thanks to best in class running costs has great potential to ease the economic burdens placed on companies.

‘FedEx Express feedback from the evaluation process will help us tailor a future battery-powered light commercial Nissan vehicle that meets customer needs.’