Nissan e-NV200 Pilot Program Expands to Portland

Nissan will be putting its latest prototype commercial electric vehicle to the test in Portland, Ore.

The Japanese automaker has announced that it will be working in collaboration with Portland General Electric (PGE) on a six-week trial to help determine the viability of an electric commercial vehicle. The e-NV200 has been assigned to PGE’s fleet of vehicles and will be used with an underground crew, replacing a larger, diesel-powered van.

“EVs have already demonstrated their value as a sustainable choice for personal use, and fleet electrification is the logical next step,” said Charlie Allcock, director, business development at PGE. “We’re excited to see firsthand the impact the e-NV200 can have on our own fleet and to help other companies understand the potential it represents for them.”

This year, Nissan plans to deploy two e-NV200 prototypes with companies such as PGE and FedEX in top U.S. EV markets such as California, Oregon, Georgia and Washington, D.C. The goal is to help determine if an electric commercial vehicle can be used by businesses to meet their day-to-day requirements. The e-NV200 will be Nissan’s second global all-electric vehicle following the Leaf and will go on sale this summer in Europe and later this year in Japan.

GALLERY: Nissan e-NV200