Cutting It Fine In A Nissan ENV200

Today I'm delivering a all electric Nissan E-NV200 to Aberdeen docks. The E-NV averages between 55-75 miles on a charge depending on temperature, gradient and the manner in which you drive so this, should be fun. Here's how I got on.....

[@theden0minat0r]

James is such a trooper, man. You rock James. Thanks for making these great videos.

[@Jamesandkate]

Brad Murren no probs, glad you enjoyed it, plenty more to come 👍🏻

[@Mal_Outdoors]

Gripping stuff! Had to watch all the way to the end! Very encouraging to see what's actually possible with an EV, - even under "short range" conditions. Well done.

[@4yourgarden]

You made me smile and then smile again with the thought about you delivering it down south in the winter lol

[@nickclarke1908]

Great video again, James. Agree 100% with the comment below regarding making all chargers accept contactless payment. Super idea.

[@Jamesandkate]

Nick Clarke glad you enjoyed it, it was an experience I can tell you 😊👍🏻

[@TimKirkmt]

THAT was very entertaining James!! Just shows how important it is to have a vehicle that has a decent range can make life less stressful, and also how good the Rapid charger network is in the UK!! Can’t say there’d be any doughnuts left at all if I’d done that trip though!! Welldone!!

[@charlesholland-keen2222]

Another great and informative video. Almost like being there but not quite. Thanks James.

[@markgaudie80]

Another cracking video James. Keep these coming. People can learn a lot from watching your struggles as well as have a good laugh at you getting stressed. I felt for your there mate. Range anxiety is not good when it’s soooo flippin cold!! I’m actually inspired to start doing some videos of my own again. I used to do a lot of vlogging on my motorbikes. But Dad no longer own a motorcycle. So hopefully I will upload a video of my work commute in my Leaf soon enough.

[@Jamesandkate]

Mark Gaudie glad you enjoyed it, and absolutely do upload some videos, I love to watch others content 😊👍🏻

[@stevenlawrie7819]

Hi James another great video. It was me who mentioned the train am impressed you did! Should get our 2 Kangoo ZE in couple of weeks so will post a couple of pics :-)

[@adrianpike4649]

Funniest video that I have watched in ages! Two turtle modes in one trip must be a record...

[@RWBHere]

Nice to know that you had around five miles of range left in Turtle Mode. Glad that you made it, and on time. Thanks.

[@theden0minat0r]

Spoilers! LOL

[@Jamesandkate]

I’m pleased too 😊👍🏻 thanks for watching

[@rbalderson5568]

I have come to the conclusion that some commenters are just non-thinkers. The van is clearly not going to be doing this sort of journey every day - perhaps not ever again! The alternative for delivery to our northern isles could have been done at much greater cost by parking it on a truck for the journey! I just hope James gets paid handsomely for his efforts. Good video to be understood in context, and not used (as some havecdine) to denigrate EVs. Horses for courses and all that.

[@worldhello1234]

"I have come to the conclusion that some commenters are just non-thinkers." I read your post and I agree, since the same horse has to be viable for many courses, so there is no need for excuses.

[@Jamesandkate]

R Balderson spot on. EV’s are great but not for everything. We like to give an unbiased opinion of real like ownership and experience. We would never return to an ICE, i think that says it all 👍🏻

[@paulyh4531]

That was a bit touch and go , glad you got there mate 👍 great video and hope Kate liked her doughnut 😉

[@dannyotter7247]

I do like these vids ….. very entertaining. It does show that for the time being that either a proper EV(Tesla) or hybrid is the only real solution until charging capability and capacity is sorted. Whilst i suspect the van works really well as a city delivery vehicel, for people who do alot of miles the technology and charging capability just isnt quite there yet to make the transition from good old fashioned ICE to EV. But you are shwoing that it can be done with sacrifices made.

[@AlexandreMoleiro]

Thumbs up for taking the train!

[@Minimux69]

Great video , and brilliant sense of humour , do you have the magic list jonathan gave you, always good to compare routes. I also think you should include the music you play , as enjoyed listening to it . Looking forward to your next updates !!

[@ZJC743]

That was close! People should be very happy when the 40Kwh model comes out.

[@Jamesandkate]

zacsg1 completely agree, they’ll be a high difference 👍🏻

[@michaelgoode9555]

Don't know why I have watched this again five years later except perhaps it's because I know somebody who is contemplating a cheap eNV200. The charging network has massively expanded since then but has perhaps even more issues with chargers not working and chargers being ICE'd but at least the range of newer ev's makes life easier. Also, there are still way too many chargers which do not accept contactless. When did somebody last shop for petrol and could only buy it with an app or rfid card? We went to Silverdale (Morecambe Bay) from Rugby in our ID.3 recently. Easily doable in one shot with motorway speeds and aircon on. It was that very very warm weekend at the start of September. We did stop for our needs so tested a few chargers purely for research en route but I worked out that we did the trip on about 65% of battery (180 miles). We're planning a trip to Orkney in 2024.

[@karenterry5970]

Hats off to you James, I didn't see that doughnut making it back.

[@Jamesandkate]

Karen Terry the best comment all year 😂😂

[@positivelycharged1296]

Not sure what you did in another life James but you are paying for it now!

[@countteddy]

absolutely fascinating........hoping to buy a sh env in the next couple months.....

[@RenaultZoeZEOwnersClub]

Agree about plane James lol that’s why myself and Jan did the Eurotunnel which made the journey fully electric :) twitchy bum moment to main times on that trip but you made it which proves again doable just not stress free :)

[@michaeldavidson4510]

Bloody hell mate, I was stressed watching it! I hope you get decent remuneration for your range anxiety , stress and being cold!

[@Jamesandkate]

Michael Davidson it was all good fun, and I’m sure I’ll be doing it again soon

[@markheyel4545]

Just a couple of tips for you James. Take a single burner camping stove, kettle water container and tea or coffee etc instead of the flask. Then all you need to do is top up with water when you run out and have as much coffee or hot meals as you want. And a warm up. Slipstream a coach instead of lorries. Lorries are limited to 56mph and coaches to 62mph if need to get somewhere quicker. Love your vlogs by the way but not as much as I love your Model S lol. I was lucky enough to test drive a P100D Model S and a 100D Model X back in June at a ev test drive event in Narberth Pembrokeshire. Fantastic experience.

[@TimKirkmt]

So how did I miss this video? Holy God, you in that van on the hard shoulder doing alimost zero miles an hour? That's the quickest way to end up in the news mate!! Loved it, and got to say it takes balls to take a 24kwh brick in sub zero temperatures!! That far north!! Although I think the 40kwh version could be dark horse of the EV world.

[@JonathanPorterfield]

Great that you followed my list pal ! We're going to have to do a ev each soon ..see who gets to Aberdeen first in identical EVs.

[@RWBHere]

Psst! Jonathan has a Top Secret™ quicker alternative route! Seriously, that would make an interesting video, or video series.

[@Jamesandkate]

Jonathan Porterfield you want to race me..... you’re on, be prepared though, I’ll be in the Tesla 😂😂😂

[@JonathanPorterfield]

James and Kate that's cheating ! Has to be 2 normal evs 😂😂

[@douglasdepirro8364]

I liked that one where you had three different evs. That was exciting. Enjoyed this one too..real nail biter though. Thanks again

[@glenntweedie9882]

Great Video

[@glenntweedie9882]

your a brave man

[@goeddiegogogo]

Thanks for posting this! It seems like it's a great video for people that want to confirm their existing skepticism about EVs... I was here to learn more about doing stepped journeys in an Env, so it was helpful to see the approximate ranges between charges. Would have been helpful if you had been clearer about how long each charge took, that's what I really wanted to know! :)

[@michaelgoode9555]

Oh, and if I was doing such a trip I would take a small camping stove, mattrrss and down bag and cozy up in the back and cook some rations whilst waiting for the charge. Hot food, hot bevvy, warm body. 😉

[@michaelgoode9555]

Recognised Nuneaton station at the end there. Train is definitely the way to go. How about getting the sleeper back and getting off at Crewe at 5:30 in the morning?

[@apsolltd]

Wow James you do like sailing close to the wind! I think you have highlighted why most people would not consider a short range EV especially in the Winter with the heating off and unreliable charging (CYC). That's a hard sell. Regards DB

[@craigevans6156]

James, you need to get yourself some thermals, gloves and very important, a HAT! Very funny trip (For us to watch!)

[@Ivdag]

I'm impressed people buy these vans with 50 miles range. Of course there are some use cases where a daily mileage does not exceed that or there is time to juice up in between trips. In that case a cheap electric van is perfect. Still, imagine a van with over 200 miles range.

[@jur4x]

soon

[@theden0minat0r]

The Krispy Kreme joke was hilarious.

[@doubledutch13]

Forfar, that unit will do AC and DC at the same time, most of the non DBT units do inc Kinross, etc. ps Stonehaven is on a real go slow just now, although any juice is good juice right?

[@dorsetengineering]

So the consensus is, e-Nv200 needs a 60 pack :)

[@worldhello1234]

No, it isn't. It is harder to determine what is not wrong about your assertion. Let's assume you are into the flower business and get your supplies three times a week. Why would you spend additional 10 grand for a 60 kwh battery?

[@Jamesandkate]

dave b i think the 60 that Nissan tested was only 70kgs heavier than the original 24 for the Leaf so with the addition of some heavy duty leaf springs that shouldn’t be an issue 👍🏻

[@dorsetengineering]

Red Phoenix let's assume you want a 200 mile capable replacement for your traffic/transit custom etc etc... that's when you would spend the extra to get something that will work for your busines...

[@ramblerandy2397]

OK, you can go anywhere, like James [what a doughnut trooper 😋 ] demonstrates, but it's definitely a local or inner city despatch van. Not sure, but I think a notorious chap from Norway recently got some Rapidgate off one, but he was in a race against a VW E-Crafter [an all-electric LT], which also exhibited some.

[@bendixon2898]

Like living in the dark ages with that much range. Long wait for the model 3

[@jagss1975]

Hello, thanks for the review. Can you tell me what is the range of that van if she were loaded with 400 kg every day in a working day? In city work. Thanks and greettings from Portugal

[@tbrdoescinema]

Sod that. (Again) That being said, these vans are great for urban environments. Hilariously fast.

[@robfinn1958]

Hi good video, just wondering if its a 25kwh or 40kwh battery, don't think you mentioned it, thanks, the distance seemed to be 50ish so hopefully the small battery

[@Zimpaz]

Looking to get an EV next spring. Budget about 10k. Might be able to stretch a bit more. Need to do a 70 mile round commute all year round preferably without any charging. What would you recommend getting?

[@jur4x]

Zoe with 40KWh battery. I think some like that with own battery should be available within your budget in a couple of months.

[@mattknott5]

EV roadtrip, love it. 👍

[@paulteslafan2992]

CYC are a nightmare as I was going to France from dover and I went to six different 7kwh chargers in dover and Folkestone and ever one was not working last February and ended up having to be towed to ferry

[@jur4x]

Hopefully, we are getting few new chargers soon. They say we should get rapid at new Lidl (which is not open yet) and few chargers at new shopping centre that is still under construction.

[@michaelgoode4104]

Looks like just the van I need for a pick up in a couple of weeks. Any clues as to where I might hire one from please?

[@markwebber4699]

that one looked painful bet you'll be glad when your having to take 40+kwh batteries up here.I know what you mean about chargers not working without a signal countless times i have complained to charge place scotland. look forward to seeing the next vid

[@carlharvey7098]

The milage on the E-NV200 is shocking!

[@dazt103]

Well done on completing what looked like a nightmare journey. As much as I'd like an EV, I'm not prepared to risk it just yet. Regular around town journey's, fine. But anything more than that, forget it. £14 + near heart failure, just isn't worth it. :)

[@SCYorks]

I would be interested in the cost of electric for this journey.

[@Idbuzzpro]

I have an e-nv200 too with 24kwh and its not a long range car 🤣 . I always charge . Its a good and comfortable car in the lokal area . But outside its a pain in the ass . Charge,charge,charge and charge....

[@la7dfa]

I have a 2kW generator in the back of my Partner, just in case... But not had to use it since I got it two years ago. My next EV will have double the range, so I only have to charge at home. The charging companies are way too expensive IMO.

[@waynehobbs5175]

How many minutes did you lose by stopping to charge? Also how much did electricity cost?

[@Jamesandkate]

The env charges in about 30 mins and cost me roughly £2.50 to charge

[@colin79666]

You do know these vans have heated seats and steering wheels right? Uses less power than the cabin heater.

[@3kids2cats1dog]

As a Canadian 0 is tropical. And is Kate getting into an i8???!!! with baby seat?

[@theden0minat0r]

LOL, Kenneth!

[@Jamesandkate]

Kenneth Chan I’ll see what I can do for you 😉👍🏻

[@robsmith1a]

Please make all the chargers accept contactless - agree?

[@reggiebuffat]

Robert Smith; Amen, preach it brotha!

[@jur4x]

Any kind of bank card would be great.

[@RWBHere]

Absolutely. Most other goods and services are paid for that way, so why do EV owners have to be treated like second-class customers, and saddled with stupid apps?

[@Jamesandkate]

RWBHere completely agree, but it is coming. In Nottingham they are now installing contactless machines and Ecotricity are adding this facility 👍🏻

[@jur4x]

I wonder what options will there be available at new rapid charger at new Lidl in Dover. Just received a letter from them - new store opening is opening tomorrow, and facilities include 2 rapid chargers :)) First proper public charger in Dover, I guess.

[@RightToSelfDefense]

James, you can only go 55 to 75 miles between each charge? I assume you are charging close to 100% each time. That sucks. I thought the eNV200's were supposed to get up to 200 miles with each charge. You can't even have the heater on. That is not acceptable. I wonder how well the Nissan Leaf does.

[@StreetMachine18]

4:27 what is Free vend? Free electricity? Does that happen alot or only on different charge points?

[@StreetMachine18]

Ok so after watching whole episode i get it thanks! But i have another question, if someone has a small cell phone signal jammer like the ones teachers use in the classroom, they could use that before plugging in to get a free charge? Any idea which chargers this would work on? Obviously not on CYC.

[@Jamesandkate]

StreetMachine18 it’s free vend, my pronunciation is bad, apologies. Yes, free electricity if the machine has no internet connection. It means you’re never without a charge 👍🏻

[@michaelowen7694]

Nailbiting finish! I reckon we need research on EVs as a cause of obesity. How many Lattes and Millionaire Shortbreads would you get through on a 400 mile trip lol?

[@ArnoldWinters]

If I did that, I would be called a name.

[@paulteslafan2992]

Just to let you know the fans don’t cool the battery they cool the inverter

[@Jamesandkate]

If have to disagree with that. I’ve removed and refitted several of these packs and they definitely supply cooled or warmed air around the pack from the HVAC system.

[@midwestslim]

Kate I hope you laughed at this one.

[@Jamesandkate]

Robert Mitchell completely, found it hilarious 😂

[@drummer021990]

Robert Mitchell ggv.

[@deansh8506]

I thought the E-NV200 came with the same resistive heating system like the original Japanese LEAF and not the heatpump system like in the UK built LEAF? I could be wrong but I'm 99% that's the case. Strange decision by Nissan.

[@stevezodiac491]

Dean Hamer i also think you are right about the heater.

[@andygardner6016]

It defiantly does have the resistance heater, heaven knows why.

[@cartman668222]

does the £14.80 include food and coffee????

[@RWBHere]

And add to that the exhorbitant train fare back home!

[@cjmillsnun]

Advance tickets can get a sizeable discount!

[@midwestslim]

...an external power pack ,might help. lol

[@asef698]

Free vend. There must be a point when theres enough cars on the road and they can't afford to give free electricity away. I'll stick to my diesel van till the vans are more practicable

[@johnfaulkner6776]

At least it wasn't a " smart " motorway!

[@SqwarkParrotSpittingFeathers]

Stopping every few miles, no heater, mega stress, possible stopping with no juice, and probably, erratic charging and, no or hardly any load, why would I choose an electric van?

[@Jamesandkate]

Because this is an extreme of use that any can driver probably won't do and this is a particularly small battery can too. This has actually been superceded by a bigger battery alternative now. Also, it cost nothing to run Vs a diesel which is the opposite. Servicing costs are also much cheaper and these are just nicer to drive. Tax is £0 on most electric vans now and there are plenty of alternatives.

[@SqwarkParrotSpittingFeathers]

@@Jamesandkate it's only cheaper if you take lots of coffee and don't mind stopping every sixty miles or so, especially if you have a reasonably heavy load. But thanks for the feedback. I live in hope that the tech' will progress by the time it is time to make the change.

[@fineartz99]

Another "ordeal." whew

[@stevezodiac491]

I have come to the conclusion after owning an EV for 1.5 years that all ev's that are currently available, at an affordable price, are all around the town vehicles, because of shite infrastructure, poor range and elongated charging times. The best solution in my opinion currently is a 50 mile electric range or more plug in hybrid. Most people drive around the town for 99% of their time, so the extremely small amount of pollution caused on the longer runs as a percentage of the whole, would mean a reduction in pollution with none of the downsides for a massively greater driver population in most use cases. The current EV experience is not desirable or defendable to the every day driver who is not an eco warrior.

[@robsmith1a]

I've had a Zoe ZE40 for eight months now and the extra range makes a huge difference to the practicality. If I had a plug in hybrid I would just be lugging and ICE around all of the time and paying to service it (If I did lots of 200 mile plus journeys I'd see the point but I don't).

[@mil3761]

All valid points but the downside with having a PHEV is that it still has all the components that an ICE has that a pure EV doesn't have. So therefore, you still have the disadvantages of maintenance, servicing, the ICE parts replacement etc. I also, read from some i3 REX owners that the ICE engine needs to be run once in a while to stop it from seizing up. Some owners used their car in a way that rarely needed the ICE engine to come on and then it seized up and cost a large servicing fee. Just over a year ago, I was in the same position wondering whether to go PHEV or pure EV. There are pros and cons but in the end, I decided to go pure EV because I felt the hassle and cost of all the things that come with the ICE engine part of the PHEV was more more than the hassle/cost of the pure EV on longer distances (1% of journeys). So I don't feel it's completely black or white, it depends on your own personal usage pattern. There are pros and cons to both and neither is a better solution for all.

[@bellshooter]

Sorry, that is your view, but not mine. I use the Leaf 30 I have on a regular (couple of times a month) to do longer road trips, properly planned, and really cheap. Not a car for a 200 mile daily commute, but then what car is?

[@stevezodiac491]

Robert Smith the thing is everybody has some long journeys to complete yearly and i get around it by having an ice as well. That means double tax (ev's will be paying road tax at some point), double insurance MOT etc. One car to do both jobs and cut out the majority of pollution would be wonderful for me in my use case, perhaps not for you ? Just imagine no waiting for 40 minutes at each charge point and going straight to your destination and not via the few charge points there are at the moment and many being out of order when you arrive as James has just pointed out.

[@reggiebuffat]

Neal Archer why don't you get around this problem by renting an ICE car or a Tesla for the road trips? 🚗

[@bendixon2898]

Zero tropical, how come no t-shirt

[@johnnorth9355]

Nissan must do better with battery range. Life is too short.

[@Ifyoudonttakeitucantfakeit]

Shows that evs are really not there yet and also that Tesla is only proper ev currently.

[@markgaudie80]

nowtleft2 all depends on the range you require. My leaf fits my life perfectly well. But yes I do have a 2nd car for really long trips if needed.

[@Ifyoudonttakeitucantfakeit]

mark snoopyakabigbird I agree but if you have to charge for 30 mins every 60 miles and drive with coat on and hood on it is not an attractive proposition. May as well have a hybrid at that range which is never going to be the future.

[@markgaudie80]

nowtleft2 a would say a range extender like the i3 REX or the Vauxhall Apmera would be a very good option for most people. The hybrids I’m not a fan of to be honest. They are not that economical really.

[@Kallenator1988]

5 minutes in and James is already on dotted lines, blimey you don't learn do you? :D

[@non-woodsmanuk]

What a pita. :(

[@johneaston4963]

What a pain in the arse, ,changing evey 50 miles,sat freezing waiting for it to charge for half hour evey time,,must double the journey time,and this is the future,?? God help us,!!

[@reggiebuffat]

John Easton; I would rather have a cheaper EV with fast charging and a smaller battery, than a more expensive EV with a bigger battery.

[@worldhello1234]

Strange, are you a masochist or do you just want to buy an expensive car that has not enough range just because it is cheaper than a car that is more expensive and has enough range? I am interested in both, range and relative affordability. Features are selling point too. Half-measure is not exactly my priority.

[@dalidaily]

Appalling mileage! And how much did it cost?

[@johneaston4963]

True what the government say it will ease congestion on the roads,yeah everyone will be stuck at charges ,charging their cars,,that's if you can find an empty one,I will stick to diesel for as long as can,couldn't be doing pulling off motorway every 50 miles to charge and wait half hour ,,never get any were!!!

[@t1ghe]

Same here love diesel

[@Jamesandkate]

John Easton bear in mind this is a low range EV. If you took the new Leaf or Zoe you’d be stopping every 150, roughly 3 hours so much easier, and the charging time won’t increase by much either

[@ishootaliens6264]

Buy electric is good for environment. Buy electric is no good for mental health with range fear

[@AlFred-cc6wm]

so, at 'proper' m/way van/car speeds(with heater) you'd have had a 40 mile(max?) range? seriously? I'm sorry but no, just no!

[@michaelowen7694]

I think it's always necessary to look at worst case scenarios and work up from that. Somebody tested a 24 Leaf and a 30 Leaf in near freezing temperatures and at 68 (real) mph on the motorway with the heating ramped up to 22 degrees. The 24 Leaf has a range of 57 miles in these conds and the 30 a range of 78. You can work with these figures not the ones obtained by extreme hypermiling.

[@reggiebuffat]

Michael OWEN; so in our case here the range with heat would be 55 miles, or so?