The Nissan NV200 EV prototype uses the same powertrain and battery as the Leaf, and can be topped up to 80 percent capacity in 30 minutes.

Nissan and FedEx Express announced Tuesday that they will begin a two-month trial of a prototype EV on the streets of London. Nissan’s NV200 delivery vehicle will join the capital’s red buses (which are phasing in hybrid versions) and black cabs (currently testing PHEV models) in a quest for The Knowledge about how commercial EVs perform in a dense urban environment.

The Nissan NV200 EV prototype uses the same powertrain and battery as the Leaf, and can be topped up to 80 percent battery capacity in 30 minutes. It was the subject of similar trials by the Japan Post Service in 2011. FedEx Express already operates 43 EVs in London, Paris, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Memphis.

Spokesmen for both companies made it clear that this vehicle’s development is still very much in the fact-gathering phase.

Nissan VP Hideto Murakami: "FedEx Express feedback from the evaluation process will help us tailor a future battery-powered light commercial Nissan vehicle that meets customer needs."

FedEx Express VP Dennis Beal: "Through collaboration we can exponentially improve and expedite what is possible. We value the opportunity Nissan has given us to provide experienced feedback and contribute to development of the best Nissan NV200 possible."