January 10th, 2012 
Aaron Turpen 
The North American International Auto Show kicked off with press events yesterday and one of the many unveils staged was the new Nissan e-NV200, a prototype electric taxi based on the Leaf electric car.
The e-NV200 is a boxy mini-van whose front end and general styling are taken from the electric Leaf compact car as well as its namesake, the NV200 van. The NV200 has been popular as a gasoline delivery and taxi option around the world, so making an electric version was an obvious step.
This “Taxi of Tomorrow” prototype (it’s part of New York’s program of that name) features purpose-designed taxi options. Currently, NV200 gasoline taxis are part of the program and begin deployment in 2013, but Nissan plans to give New York some electrics by 2017 to ride alongside them.
The e-NV200 is nothing innovative beyond its general idea of being an electric taxi. The drive train is taken directly from the Leaf with only a few modifications to allow for the larger vehicle size (mostly in the battery and motor controllers). It’s range will obviously suffer from that and not be anywhere near the Leaf unless Nissan elects to expand the battery pack before production.
Initial trials of the e-NV200 began last year in the Japan Post Service and a single prototype being used by FedEx in London.
UPDATE: Our man on the scene, Craig Agranoff, provided a couple of photos of the e-NV200 on display at NAIAS:
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I understand the reason they are targeting it as a taxi (New York official cabs of the future).
But I cant stop thinking how it can easily replace all the SUV`s that exist in U.S.A held by “soccer moms”.
Could be a real great replacement for them as well.
Miley C´s last [type] ..בניית אתרים באינטרנט
Honestly, as much as I’d like that to be the case and as much as I like electrics, it’s doubtful. The range would be too small and the highway capabilities too low. The range on this isn’t likely to be more than 50 miles per charge and it will either be speed-limited to around 50-55mph or will be highway capable (75+), but have even lower range at those speeds.
It will be a long while before batteries can catch up to the point where they’re ready for heavier vehicles at ranges usable beyond urban and fixed routes.