Except for the 2012 Tesla Model S, there are no seven-seat all-electric vehicles for sale on the market today.
Earlier this week, however, Nissan confirmed that it plans to sell a seven-seat minivan variant of the e-NV200 all-electric van in Europe when it enters production next year.
Based on the e-NV200 concept van we saw at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show and the electric courier van due to be tested by FedEx in the U.S., the seven-seat minivan variant will drop the e-NV200 name in favor of something more family-friendly: the Nissan Evalia Electric.
Just like the other e-NV200 models, including the all-electric New York taxi cab concept, the Nissan Evalia Electric will be powered by the same motor and drivetrain found in the 2012 Nissan Leaf.
Nissan's electric-powered e-NV200 concept.
There’s no official word on range yet, but with the same rapid charging feature as the Leaf, Nissan has said all e-NV200 variants will charge to 80 percent full in under 30 minutes at a compatible Chademo charging station.
It’s also worth noting that Nissan has said that its commercial e-NV200, designed for small businesses and contractors, will include on-board power outlets capable of providing 6 kilowatts of instantaneous power from the on-board battery pack, although it hasn't said if this feature will make it to the minivan version.
In other words, the e-NV200 could use its on-board lithium-ion battery pack as a mobile power station to run power tools and other electrical equipment. Alternatively, it could theoretically operate as emergency backup power in an emergency.
At the moment Nissan has not confirmed if the all-electric Evalia will make it to the U.S., although it is worth noting that both the New York taxi and e-NV200 commercial vehicles are both due to enter testing in the U.S. next year.
Would you want to buy a 7-seat electric minivan? How much would you pay? And do you think Nissan will bring this particular electric vehicle to the U.S.?
Let us know your thoughts in the Comments below.
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