Nissan has started the production of its second all-electric vehicle – the e-NV200 (the electric version of the Evalia in India) – which will be available as both a passenger vehicle and light commercial van.

The Nissan plant in Barcelona will be the global production site for this zero-emission vehicle, which will be available as a light commercial van, passenger vehicle and electric taxi.

Representing an investment of €100 million (Rs 834 crore) in Nissan’s Barcelona Plant, as part of a wider €431 million (Rs 3,596 crore) investment in its Spanish operations, the e-NV200 will initially be exported to around 20 international markets, including Japan.

Speaking at the Start of Production (SoP) function on May 6, Nissan Motor Co’s chief planning officer Andy Palmer said: “This is a great landmark day for Nissan, starting production of our second electric vehicle.  This is at a time when EVs are now recognised as mainstream technology, many competitors are only just starting to launch their first EV and where Nissan has a clear first-mover advantage. We’re proud that the Nissan Leaf is the world’s best-selling electric vehicle with more than 110,000 delighted customers enjoying the quiet and smooth ride of an EV.”  

Barcelona will be the first city in the world to introduce the e-NV200 as a 100 percent electric taxi, an initiative Palmer believes is vital for the city, continuing: “This e-NV200 taxi has renewed significance in the wake of record levels of air pollution in London and Paris. Bringing a significant number of zero emission vehicles to Barcelona’s streets will ensure cleaner air for every citizen, visitor and tourist, and we’re confident that forward-thinking councils everywhere will be clamoring to bring these benefits to their municipalities in the coming years.” 

Barcelona is the only Nissan plant globally producing the electric version of the e-NV200, which means that it will be exported to all over the world, Japan included. The first vehicles exported to these markets will set sail in June.

Photograph: Andy Palmer, chief planning officer, Nissan, at the SoP function.

Also read: Nissan to export made-in-Chennai e-Evalia to Bhutan http://bit.ly/1n5Up5Q