Real-world Road Test! Nissan e-NV200 Combi 2014 Review

A review of the 2014 Nissan e-NV200 Combi, including details of a 500-mile roadtrip. How does an electric car stack up on a long-distance journey? How does the e-NV200 compare with the Nissan Leaf? What's with the rear wiper?!
As ever, this non-budget feature is brought to you by Ian Seabrook, using a Mobius Action Camera. No budget, no script. More car-related stuff at www.classichub.wordpress.com

[@Simonicusmaximus]

A good overall review of this vehicle. It would have been a little better to feature the versatility of the seating arrangement, but this was one of your earlier reviews and you go into more detail in your future reviews. I would like to see you review more electric vehicles in the future because, like it or not this is the way it is going to go. I do however love your insights into the vehicles of my youth. Keep up the excellent work, I thoroughly enjoy your videos - though I have much to catchup on. Be good to see you in a retro campervan such as the Ford Starcraft Camper.

[@robertbidochon7949]

Thank you for telling us your experience on this vehicle! This is very helpful.

[@ahmd-mi9964]

Thank you for this real world test review best type of review to see when you actually thinking of getting one.

[@AllenHart999]

Very good review. Thanks.

[@ElectrifiedJourneys]

Great review! My wife and I really want this van but we need it in the 7 passenger format and that costs us about $50,000 over here in Japan with no lease available at this time. So, we are trying to wait but it's really hard!

[@trevorhartley5166]

Electrified Journeys Japan q

[@sg8539]

Basic electric vehicles only pratical for local or within a short radius of home or base.

[@ginggur17]

My goodness, this is going back pal.

[@normanbell4091]

Having driven a nissan leaf as a taxi over three years , the air con and the lack of range are the bigest negatives against the electric car/van. In real world conditions as this blog points out. Why have they not brought out a model with a range extender, either a petrol engine generater just for the batteries or a device that regenerates power to the battery as soon as the car/van reaches 10 mph and over. yes I know regenerative breaking and the new Bdrive have improved things but whoever claimed 105 miles for the first model, was an optomist to say the least. I am now looking at the new models of purpose built Taxis that are coming onto the market having had to go back to diesel.

[@HubNut]

I've had over 100 miles from a 30kwh LEAF. Not the earlier ones though.

[@christianpaulroldan3662]

nice review from you buddy. .

[@TK42138]

Good 'real world' review. Totally agree with the slipstreaming trucks' comment. Can't think of anything worse (or dangerous) than being stuck behind the back end of a truck as its tyres fling up grit and debris just to save some fuel or mileage. Often see it on the M11.

[@HubNut]

Thanks. There's also braking distances. If you're close enough to a truck to get a good slipstream, you'll be smashed into the back end before you've had time to even think about hitting the middle pedal if the truck suddenly slows down.

[@TK42138]

And it doesn't bear thinking about if there's another 44 tonner behind you.

[@HenrysAdventures]

You mentioned the one thing which puts me off about electric vehicles. Seeing the battery on 7%! I know when my phone gets to that stage I'm in trouble so must be worce in a vehicle. That said it's a good practical van with seats.

[@HubNut]

Yes, though battery tech has come a long way in the six years since this was filmed.

[@johnsuffill6520]

As I've said in one of your later podcasts, for electric cars to be viable we would need charging stations to be the size of supermarket carparks to take the number of people waiting for hours to recharge their cars. You could counter that by saying that we could recharge our cars at home, but what about the millions of car drivers who do not have their own driveway? Can you imagine the spaghetti-like mess that would block pavements when people with electric cars add extension cables in order to recharge their cars that are parked yards away from their homes or even on another street? Yes, eventually we are going to go electric, but it's going to be a messy business, and those people who have to park their cars away from their homes are going to suffer big time. Maybe hydrogen powered cars are the way to go. The only emission from that is water!

[@HubNut]

You have to make the hydrogen somehow though. Transport is never going to be entirely zero emission.

[@Spacey7]

You could always open a window instead of using the air con', you don't have to worry about noise so much it's electric & you are in beautiful Wales. 🙂

[@HubNut]

The problem was it was very cold when we did this test. Not nice!

[@Spacey7]

@@HubNut lol wuss 😂 Sorry don't mean to be rude 🙂

[@JeffSongster]

Nice review... They don't offer the Van here in the states or I would have just bought one. Really would like the camper van or caravan version. Hoping that when Nissan does release it here it comes with maybe 20 to 30 percent more battery to fix the charge time to drive time ratio.

[@b3jojo]

Thank you for this very nice review! And, nice profile pic :-D

[@HubNut]

+Joe-L A Thanks!

[@MegaProtius]

THIS IS MORE CITY DELIVERY ETC.not long range runs! just not made for that .

[@HubNut]

Yes, but I like pushing the boundaries. Range and chargers have both improved since I made this attempt.

[@jasonhardy3660]

Christopher Wain With increased charging infrastructure these become more feasible for longer journeys, but you're right to say these are best as a town/city delivery vehicle. With the London congestion charge at £11.50 per day, this vehicle would save you £230 per month (based on 20 days per month driving in the city). You then add on free parking and charging in many places, plus no VED tax, and this van really is a no brainer for people who have to operate within the CC zone. I think you could easily save £4-500 per month in one of these.

[@RWBHere]

@@jasonhardy3660 Ian Sampson bought one of these for his wife, and they've travelled thousands of miles in it, with no regrets, using it every day, and for holidays. You might want to check his channel.

[@LawnMowersThingsThatMakeNoise]

Why do they not attach high powered alternators to the motor drive or wheel drive to charge as you drive ? or solar panel roof's ? im sure there are things they can do

[@HubNut]

The motor acts like a generator when you slow down, but can't put in more than you take out. Solar panels would have to be absolutely enormous to increase range - like the footprint of a house size.

[@rosshamilton4657]

It would cause loads of drag and use more battery power, how can you charge and use a battery at the same time dumbo

[@TopC333]

How did you find the range when laden with logs or amps etc? To work for me it would have to have good range under load. I don't see the point in heated seats & A. C. its extra weight which effects range and payload. I could put up with vintage tractor comfort levels if it hauls like a modern transit for the costs it returns. What attracts me is much lower maintenance than Internal Combustion. Could you fit a towbar too?

[@MegaProtius]

i done bit reseach on towbar aspect and dont thing is possible due too laws on gross weights of van etc and the isurance aspect quite technical if you read govs lwas etc......l and i think this is by no means built for towing the mileage would drop like stone and think could burn motor out or not do it any good,,,, i be will waiting for purpose built 1 ton transit,vw transporter etc.made for job

[@fredlast4547]

An old workmate of mine thinks they recharge themselves while driving along. Wouldn't it be perfect eh?

[@HubNut]

That technology is being explored! Wireless charging from the road itself.

[@jaroroytapel]

Beautiful views on the roads you film . Where do you live/film the videos ?

[@HubNut]

These are the beautiful roads of mid-Wales. Some sections were shot on the Elan Valley Mountain Road which really does need to be experienced. Wonderful part of the world.

[@ahmd-mi9964]

Shame you didn't test how far, range it has when there's 7people riding, between charges.

[@HubNut]

It's only a five seater. To be honest, I'm not sure number of people would affect the range as much as temperature and heater use.

[@ahmd-mi9964]

HubNut : thank you so much for your quick reply, really appreciate the feedback, I was looking at reviews that had 7seats sorry for mixing it up, Any idea on the price ranges in UK?

[@HubNut]

Ani S7live Not currently sadly. I'm a bit off the pace with new car prices.

[@countteddy]

i keep my cables in the frunk (hate that word) and so far so good. at least EV technology has exceeded microphone technology...........lol

[@RWBHere]

If you' English, maybe Froot is a slightly better name. But why not just call it a box, or locker?

[@EdgyNumber1]

ironically, 2CV production stopped because of poor emissions levels...

[@matze1856]

You can forget this car with the Charghing system : Typ1 and Chademo The Car is not usable, because both types are not a europe standard and Typ1 is slow as hell. Nissan uses not Typ2 which would load the car in 1 hour in whole europe. Type2 is the standard in europe. NIssan is sleeping in this charging sector. The E-Nv200 range is 100-110 km in real !!!

[@fmanh]

with a 70kWh battery it would actually be useful.

[@uyfugbug766546]

Please I beg you to not rape my left ear.

[@AndrewBryantPianoTuner]

Stop messing about and get a Tesla test drive mate.

[@HubNut]

I have...

[@RWBHere]

3 or 4 years later, and the Leaf has double the range. Other cars have 3, 4 or more times the range. What will we have in another 4 years? Maybe every car will be able to cover at least 200 miles between charges, and with some battery reserve. We're already reaching the point where some EV's are cheaper to buy than their petrol equivalent. People will not want to buy a fossil-fuelled car, mainly because electricity doesn't smell, is cheaper, and the motor needs far less maintenance than n engine and it’s peripherals. I don't like the Leaf much, and the ENV even less, but an EV is on the cards for our next car.

[@kawasakiman8965]

I drive one of these work related and they are total rubbish can’t use the blower when can’t go over 50 absolutely eats battery power very expensive vehicle and can hardly go anywhere seriously don’t buy one unless you just want to go round town for your shopping and you have money to waste

[@HubNut]

Much as I love electric vehicles, this was not a very good one.