Nissan e-NV200

The Nissan e-NV200 is the world's first all-electric seven-seat MPV, according to the Japanese car firm. Based on the NV200 van, the electric people-carrier joins existing 1.5 dCi versions of the commercial vehicle.

Nissan says it caters for a demand from private hire companies and shuttle services and could also appeal to larger families.

The e-NV200 uses the same basic electric powertrain as the Nissan Leaf. The electric motor develops a modest 107bhp and a useful 187lb ft of torque from start.

However, despite the NV200’s much greater frontal area (and increased drag at higher speeds), it still has the same 24kWh battery as the Leaf. Although the e-NV200 isn’t too heavy (between 1517 and 1564kg, depending on the specification), the official range is just 106 miles.

Nissan also makes much of the e-NV200’s load-carrying ability. It can be specified with either five or seven seats in three rows.

To increase cargo room, the two seats in the third row can be folded up against the insides of the car. The middle-row three-person bench seat can also be folded and tumbled out of the way, further increasing load capacity. With all the seats pushed out of the way, Nissan says the e-NV200 can swallow three full-size bikes, with the front wheels still attached.

The e-NV200 Combi comes with a choice of one trim level (Tekna) and two charging options (Rapid and Rapid Plus) in both five and seven-seat forms.

The Rapid versions take four hours to top up via a 50kW DC charging point, while the Plus versions include high-speed 6.6kW AC on-board charging capability.

As for the standard equipment, the Tekna trim includes 15in alloy wheels, twin sliding doors, automatic lights and wipers, a reversing camera and cruise control on the outside, while inside there is climate control, heated seats and steering wheel, Bluetooth, keyless entry and go, and Nissan's Carwings infotainment system complete with DAB radio and sat nav.

This is a van, however, so you can’t expect too much of it once on the move. By far the biggest demerit is the cart-sprung rear axle. We drove the e-NV200 two up and, with little weight over the rear wheels, the back end skipped and crashed over ridges and obstacles. It would no doubt be less reactive with passengers and cargo on board, though.