Buyer's guide | Used vans


Buying a used... Nissan Townstar


  Ian Shaw


W


hile the momentum behind the growth in battery electric vans had so far rested with


the big fleet operators, the used market might offer a cost-effective toe-in-the- water for small businesses looking to move into electric propulsion. Pence-per- mile running costs can be as little as half that of a similar diesel LCV for those sole traders who can charge at home, whilst city centre ULEV zones or the desire to promote a green image may tempt others. Being a Nisssan LCV, the Townstar’s underpinnings are shared with its Renault sibling, the Kangoo E-Tech, and badged- sister the Mercedes-Benz e-Citan. All share a 45kWh battery pack and a 90kW (120hp) electric motor driving the front wheels. It produces 245Nm of torque, and being electric does so from standstill


throughout the whole speed range up to a maximum of 84mph. Near-silent EV refinement is a given and


because it’s based on the same platform as the Nissan Qashqai and Renault Austral, it’s surprisingly car-like to drive. A Transit Custom is more engaging to thread around winding country roads, the Townstar always feels a bit remote, but its ease of driving is a bonus and in city traffic it excels. EV-style acceleration is strong without being ludicrous – destabilising cargo or occupants – whilst a ‘city’ mode of greater steering assistance is as redundant today as it was when Fiat introduced it on the Punto van 30 years ago. Tree levels of regenerative braking are


available using the gear lever in a side- gate then fore and aft movement – think Sport mode, then plus/minus shifts in a


‘Near-silent EV  given and because it’s based on the  as the Nissan Qashqai and Renault Austral,  car-like to drive.’


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