Five leasing companies, six major fleet operators and three used value guides visited Nissan's Barcelona production facility and drove the e-NV200 as well as a diesel NV200 and the LEAF.

Attendees also had the chance to meet with the e-NV200 development team to discuss their thoughts on all aspects of the vehicle, including how it could fit into a fleet strategy.  Nissan also shared its overall EV vision including product creation, development and future EV plans.

All delegates reacted positively to the 100% electric van's driving and performance characteristics with many keen to put the vehicle into immediate use.

‘We were blown away with the response and we already have leasing companies and fleet operators who want to trial the vehicle, and some who want to order a fleet of vehicles for urban delivery use,’ explained Matthew Dale, Nissan's national LCV sales manager.

‘After driving the vehicle on the two-day trip they could immediately see the business benefit of running electric vans across specific parts of a fleet. Commercial vehicles are working tools and our guests recognised both the savings in fuel costs and reduced emissions offered by the e-NV200,’ he added.

The used value guide experts added that they could see a definite role for the e-NV200 in the second-hand market and said that used prices should be strong based on the vehicle's practicality and whole-life costs, which will give it a second and third life in the used market.

‘Residual values are key to the success of any commercial vehicle so we were pleased to hear some very positive initial comments from the used vehicle experts,’ said Dale.

The Barcelona trip follows successful trials with major fleets such as British Gas, FedEx and the Japan Post Service in 2011 and 2012.

The e-NV200 is expected to go on sale in 2014.