Nissan model will likely be a rebadged version of the latest Renault Kangoo E-TECH, and the replacement for the current e-NV200.
Nissan has announced that it will be unveiling a new electric van later this month, which is expected to be the replacement for the current Nissan e-NV200 electric van that was launched back in 2014.
However, other than the unveiling date of the 27th September, Nissan hasn’t disclosed any other details about its new electric LCV. Nissan has previously confirmed that its next-generation small electric and combustion-engined vans will be built at the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s Maubeuge factory in France, which suggests that the e-NV200’s replacement will almost certainly be a rebadged version of the upcoming second-generation Renault Kangoo E-TECH zero-emissions model (pictured below).
Nissan currently produces a version of the current diesel-engined Kangoo called the NV250, so it’s possible the new electric model could wear the e-NV250 nameplate, but that also hasn’t been confirmed. However, Nissan has said that “the range will include all-electric and internal-combustion-engine options, as well as commercial and passenger-vehicle variants, with various size combinations”. That indicates a replacement for the e-NV200 Combi people carrier is in the works, too.
In February, when announcing production of its new small electric van for Europe would take place at the Alliance’s Maubeuge factory, Nissan COO Ashwani Gupta said: “This future van announcement is more evidence of the strong momentum building for Nissan in Europe… Manufacturing our future products together with our Alliance partner brings competitive advantages for both companies and is another example of our win-win strategy.
“While it is too early to give any detailed product information, our customers can be sure they will have a strong Nissan identity and continue our mission of making the all-electric driving experience a viable option for everyone.”
The Maubeuge factory opened in 1971 and produced almost 150,000 vehicles in 2019, including 13,000 electric Kangoo vans. The plant has invested €450 million (AUD$722m) in recent years as it ramped up for production of the new Kangoo.
Stephen Errity