Nissan Announces Plans For A Pure Electric Van

Nissan announced plans to out a pure-electric commercial van by 2013. Details are a bit light , but apparently it will be about the same thing as Ford’s upcoming Transit Connect Electric. It’s easy to see where Nissan is going with this, though. It just makes so much sense.

The thought process is probably along the same lines as GM’s Voltec Cargo Can Concept. Simply install a similar, but beefed up Leaf powertrain in a commercial-quality vehicle. The application is sound in theory as delivery vans tend to drive within a limited area anyway, and the vehicle platform itself is probably able to handle more batteries than small consumer vehicles like the Leaf. Besides, designers don’t have to worry about making it so pretty. Delivery guys don’t care about stuff like that. It’s function over form for them.