Taking centre stage on the Nissan stand at the NEC was the new e-NV200 electric light van.

Now with a 40Kw battery that the brand claims breaks the 100-mile real world driving range barrier, its 124 miles on the WLTP cycle is up 60% on the previous model, the e-NV200 costs from £18,599 including the 20% Plug-in-Van-Grant, (all prices exclude VAT). Its payload of 705kg matches that of the diesel NV200, which makes it a compelling proposition for urban operators, according to Nissan.

The manufacturer added that low running and SMR costs, exemption from road tax, the London Congestion Charge, and from proposed LEZ (Low Emissions Zone) and ULEZ (Ultra Low Emissions Zone) charges in Oxford, Newcastle, Sheffield, Southampton, Birmingham and Leeds made the e-NV200 “the perfect solution for van operators nationwide”.

Iker Lazzari, Fleet Director at Nissan Motor (GB), said: “With grants to fund purchase and a whole suite of EV tax incentives, plus the refinement, low running costs and reliability that an electric van offers in daily use, the new e-NV200 is the perfect opportunity to move your fleet, and your business, forwards.”

Lazzari said the NissanConnect app meant owners and fleet managers could digitally track and log driver reports, check information on battery charge level, start charging and set the vehicle’s climate control remotely, using their smartphone, tablet or computer.

The e-NV200 also features Nissan’s bi-directional charging technology, enabling operators to return excess energy stored in the battery back to the grid. Nissan claims this capability could help generate extra revenue from charging the van when energy costs are low and selling back to the grid at peak times.

Lazzari claims electric vans make more economical sense than diesel or petrol equivalents for operators engaged in multi-drop deliveries to meet the boom in online shopping.

“Taking London as an example,” he said, “where some 221,000 vans are currently registered [according to the Department for Transport], non-Euro-6 compliant vans will soon face a daily £24 charge to operate in some parts of the capital. That could add up to a whopping £5,500 per year bill before even a penny has been spent on fuel.”

Other than exemption from emissions legislation changes, he points out electric vans escape from heavy use wear and tear on components such as starter motors and clutches.

Nissan also showcased an e-NV200-based concept the ‘Workspace’ at the NEC. Described as a mobile office replete with computer monitor screen and coffee machine, Lazzari said it demonstrated the possibilities of the van and would be ideal for “hopping from meeting to meeting”.

Also on the Nissan stand was the AT32 limited edition Navara pick-up, developed in conjunction with Arctic Trucks. Lazzari said the model would go on sale May, although prices were not available at the show, and would get the brand’s five-year warranty. Features include suspension raised to 243mm from 223mm on the regular Navara to increase ground clearance, 17in alloys with 32in tyres and a snorkel  attached to the A-pillar to boost wading depth to 800mm – 200mm more than the standard truck.

With a network of 11 approved converters now signed up, Nissan also displayed an NT400 tipper with a price tag of £25,485.