Building on the success of its previous e-NV200 best selling light commercial vehicle, Nissan has announced the Townstar EV. With an on the road (OTR) price of £28,400 and a 45kWh battery with intelligent management, the Townstar promises a WLTP range of up to 183 miles. Will its combination of price, performance, cargo space and driver comforts convince the ‘last mile’ delivery companies that this LCV will be the star around town?
Aerodynamics are crucial to battery life with commercial vehicles, so this smoothed-out look has been combined with an optimised powertrain, intelligent energy management and battery thermal cooling.
It will offer its driver 122 PS and 245Nm of torque for a payload of between 600 and 800kg and towing capacity of up to 1,500kg. The Townstar EV claims up to 4.3 cubic metres of cargo carrying capacity – which should be enough for two Euro pallets.
The Townstar’s 45kWh battery offers both AC charging (11 kW or 22 kW) and DC CCS quick-charging, the latter of which enables users to charge the battery from 15% to 80% in as little as 37 minutes. This will be ideal for a mid-day break in deliveries around town. Battery thermal cooling combined with the 22kW AC and 80kW DC CCS charging is standard from Acenta grade onward.
The array of available active and passive safety technologies for those on the move include Blind Spot Warning, Hands-Free Parking, Active Cruise Control, Intelligent Emergency Braking, Side Wind Assist and Trailer Sway Assist. There was no mention of a camera in the launch materials, which is probably an OK omission with a vehicle this small – but we do like to see where we’re going when dropping a heavy load backwards.
The bespoke aerodynamic front shield features an intricate Kumiko pattern, which heralds Nissan’s Japanese DNA and, according to Nissan, gives the vehicle a premium feel.
Inside, the Townstar EV boasts more than 20 interesting technology features, including an on-board connectivity service. It can also be delivered with a 10-inch digital instrument panel. This is definitely the most advanced commercial vehicle that Nissan has offered to date.
It introduces Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist advanced driving assistance system to the LCV line-up. This technology, along with Nissan’s unique Intelligent Around View Monitor (AVM), provides drivers with extra assistance. In addition, and for improved cabin comfort, automatic climate control and a heated steering wheel are available. Meanwhile, a heat pump improves both efficiency and comfort in colder temperatures by distributing heat from the battery into the cabin.
Allan Newman, LCV Product Manager at Nissan GB, said: “Offering a fully electric powertrain, practical design and unique Nissan technologies, Townstar is comprehensively equipped to meet customers’ ever-changing needs. With tougher emissions standards, urban access restrictions, and ever-increasing demand for last-mile delivery, businesses need to find effective and sustainable solutions to remain competitive and optimise their operations. We’re confident Townstar will meet their every need.”
Nicolas Tschann, LCV Director, Nissan Europe, said: “Our electrification expertise and leadership in this segment has been a critical component in the development of this version of the Townstar. We’re confident that its high level of advanced safety features, versatile configurations and practical capabilities suit the future of sustainable business operations.”
Every Nissan LCV boasts an industry-leading five-year or 100,000-mile warranty, demonstrating Nissan’s continued commitment to quality. The Townstar EV expands on this offering with an 8-year warranty on the battery state of health for at least 70%.
So there you have it: Nissan’s most advanced commercial vehicle, with decent range, relatively low price, five-year warranty and plenty of driver comfort features. Looks like the challenge has been set for the rest of the market.