Milk float-like MPV is cream of e-crop
IF you need to be able to transport up to seven people but thought electric motoring was not an option then think again. Nissan has billed its e-NV200 Combi as the world’s first electric MPV.
It might not get the same sort of coverage as the Nissan Leaf or more upmarket electric offerings like the Jaguar I-Pace and Tesla Model S but the e-NV200 certainly fills a niche and in many ways makes perfect sense.
Its van underpinnings (essentially it’s a version of the e-NV200 van) means it might be just a little too rough and rugged for some but the ability to transport up to seven people and its practicality combine to make a fairly compelling USP.
There are both five and seven-seat versions of the e-NV200. The two seats in the third row can be folded up,
while the middle-row threeseat bench can also be folded and tumbled out of the way, boosting carrying capacity.
My initial feeling driving the e-NV200 was that of being in a kind of upmarket milk float – given the silence, its van-like character and high driving position.
However, once you get over its initial oddness, it is very easy to like and for ecominded families, it is perfect.
A great van-like benefit is its sliding doors, which make getting in and out super easy and are a godsend in the kind of tight parking spaces you’ll encounter in supermarket or multi-storey car parks.
Given it’s an electric vehicle, the e-NV200 is not cheap, though that initial outlay is certainly compensated for by extraordinarily cheap running costs and is offset by the £3,500 government car grant.
Nissan quote running costs of around 2p per mile and there’s the added bonus of the cost of maintenance being far less than a conventional diesel alternative.
As with any electric vehicle you need to get into a charging mindset and think just a little bit differently. You also need to plan ahead.
The e-NV200 has the same basic electric powertrain as the Nissan Leaf – it’s powered by a 40kWh battery, which replaces the old 24kWh one.
A downside is that you won’t get the same sort of range as the Leaf, given the design and a lack of aerodynamics, but the range is quoted as between 130 and 180 miles. This can vary considerably, depending on a whole host of factors, such as the time of year, temperature, how you drive it and whether you’re using the heating or air-conditioning extensively.
Charging can be done in a number of ways. You can simply plug into a domestic wall socket, as I did. This can take a while – up to 21 hours to fully charge – so a preferred option would be having a 7Kw wallbox installed. A full charge using one takes around 7.5 hours.
If you’re out and about and have access to a fast charger in a public place then it will deliver an 80% charge in just 40-60 minutes.
Milk float comparisons apart, the e-NV200 is actually rather fun to drive. It has a tremendous turn of pace, particularly from a standing start and there were a number of occasions when I left some confused-looking motorists in my wake at traffic lights.
It’s possible to regulate its power, and therefore the amount of torque available.
There are economy and power drive modes and if you put the automatic transmission into B mode it will essentially brake the car when you remove your foot from the accelerator. This also has the effect of regenerating energy back to the battery.
Although powerful, the e-NV200 isn’t really designed to go around corners at speed, so a degree of caution is required. Ride quality is comfortable and given its relative bulk, the e-NV200 is also surprisingly manoeuvrable.
It comes well equipped, with Bluetooth connectivity, DAB radio, a sat-nav system, cruise control and a reversing camera – which actually feels like an essential. All the info you need is prominently and clearly displayed, particularly the range indicator.
A must is the NissanConnect EV app which, as well as analysing how you’ve driven, can check the battery charge level, start the battery charging and set the vehicle’s climate control remotely from your phone.
My initial feeling driving the e-NV200 was that of being in a kind of upmarket milk float