Automotive

Nissan builds a versatile mobile office inside its e-NV200 electric van

Nissan builds a versatile mobile office inside its e-NV200 electric van
The slide-out deck provides more of a connection with the outdoors
The slide-out deck provides more of a connection with the outdoors
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The e-NV200 Workspace looks more like a recreational van outside, but it's all business inside
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The e-NV200 Workspace looks more like a recreational van outside, but it's all business inside
Nissan worked with design firm Studio Hardie to develop the e-NV200 Workspace
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Nissan worked with design firm Studio Hardie to develop the e-NV200 Workspace
Nissan e-NV200 Workspace concept
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Nissan e-NV200 Workspace concept
A built-in door rack holds the Brompton bike in place, providing a lighter, more maneuverable means of transportation
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A built-in door rack holds the Brompton bike in place, providing a lighter, more maneuverable means of transportation
The slide-out deck provides more of a connection with the outdoors
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The slide-out deck provides more of a connection with the outdoors
If you're going to work in a van, you might as well spend some of that time outside
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If you're going to work in a van, you might as well spend some of that time outside
The interior includes an espresso maker and two desk chairs
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The interior includes an espresso maker and two desk chairs
Oak wood flooring gives the Workspace a warmer look
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Oak wood flooring gives the Workspace a warmer look
One chair can move to the fold-out desk area
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One chair can move to the fold-out desk area
The desk includes a touchscreen computer
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The desk includes a touchscreen computer
A drinks cooler keeps workers hydrated
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A drinks cooler keeps workers hydrated
Inside the Nissan e-NV200 Workspace
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Inside the Nissan e-NV200 Workspace
Wireless smartphone charging
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Wireless smartphone charging
The desk includes neat organization to keep supplies from blowing all over the cabin during driving
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The desk includes neat organization to keep supplies from blowing all over the cabin during driving
Inside the Nissan e-NV200 Workspace concept
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Inside the Nissan e-NV200 Workspace concept
With its generous number of doors and pull-out rear deck, the e-NV200 creates an indoor/outdoor office space
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With its generous number of doors and pull-out rear deck, the e-NV200 creates an indoor/outdoor office space
Nissan imagines the e-NV200 being used as a more flexible style of office
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Nissan imagines the e-NV200 being used as a more flexible style of office
Nissan e-NV200 Workspace concept
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Nissan e-NV200 Workspace concept
Park it at a charging station and get to work
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Park it at a charging station and get to work
The standard e-NV200 van offers an estimated 106 miles of range with its 24 kWh lithium-ion battery
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The standard e-NV200 van offers an estimated 106 miles of range with its 24 kWh lithium-ion battery
LED interior floor lighting
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LED interior floor lighting
Nissan e-NV200 Workspace concept
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Nissan e-NV200 Workspace concept
Nissan e-NV200 Workspace concept
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Nissan e-NV200 Workspace concept
Nissan e-NV200 Workspace concept
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Nissan e-NV200 Workspace concept
Nissan e-NV200 Workspace concept
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Nissan e-NV200 Workspace concept
Nissan e-NV200 Workspace concept
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Nissan e-NV200 Workspace concept
Nissan e-NV200 Workspace concept
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Nissan e-NV200 Workspace concept
Nissan e-NV200 Workspace concept
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Nissan e-NV200 Workspace concept
View gallery - 28 images

Imagine spending your workday roaming the countryside and peeking out the window to catch scenery passing by at 60 mph, instead of wasting away like a houseplant in a cubicle. It's an intriguing vision that we've seen brought to life by numerous mobile office vans, including the Brabus Business Lounge and Becker JetVan. The latest comes from Nissan and is all electric NV200 outside, modern office inside.

The Nissan NV200 van actually made its debut as a mobile workspace concept back in 2007. The new e-NV200 Workspace isn't quite as extreme as that slide-out design, but it does have a more modern look and feel all around, starting with the 106-mile (171 km) range, all-electric e-NV200 it's based on.

Working with UK-based design firm Studio Hardie, Nissan imagines businesses and employees capitalizing on free and low-cost charging to make the van a cost-saving office space, citing a 36 percent global rise in co-working and hot-desking spaces in 2015. It reckons you could park at a convenient charging station, say in an urban center, and use your van in place of an expensive office. If you're not tied to a specific location, you could also use it to work remotely from somewhere you like better.

Wherever you park the Workspace, the workday might feel a little less grinding with fresh air breezing in through the open sliding side doors and split load doors. A pull-out deck even brings work outside, adding a place to take a call. For tasks that pull occupants farther away, a Brompton folding bike mounted to the rear load door provides a way to cruise around dense urban centers without having to relocate the whole office.

The connection with the outdoors remains intact when the doors close thanks to a panoramic glass roof. A smartphone-controlled LED lighting system brightens things up with a variety of color options.

Oak wood flooring gives the Workspace a warmer look
Oak wood flooring gives the Workspace a warmer look

The e-NV's 148 sq ft (4.2 cu m) load bay transforms into an office with two leather-and-chrome desk chairs anchored to the oak wood flooring by custom mounts. The chairs can be secured side by side, a wooden console separating them. The console has a wireless smartphone charging dock, Bluetooth speaker and slide-out refrigerator. One of the chairs can also be mounted at the fold-down desk on the side, where one has access to a touchscreen computer with wireless mouse and keyboard, along with neatly-stored office supplies.

Nissan and Hardie skip the Keurig, popular in other van conversions, and go for a much more stylish espresso machine on the wall opposite the desk. We imagine this solution will make better coffee, and it definitely adds to the decor. A mechanical lift lets it lower into the console below when not in use. An overhead storage locker houses the rest of the equipment needed to brew espresso and froth up cappuccinos.

"With property prices in our capital cities at such a premium and the modern professional needing to be ever more mobile, businesses will need to think smart and consider what the workplace of the future looks like," explains Gareth Dunsmore, Nissan Europe director of electric vehicles. "With hot-desking and remote working on the rise, it is not too big a leap to see a future where our vehicles will become connected, energy efficient, mobile workspaces and the e-NV200 Workspace project could become more than just a concept."

Park it at a charging station and get to work
Park it at a charging station and get to work

We'll see if that comes to fruition, but we think it's safe to say this particular NV200 concept won't be a part of it, at least not exactly as designed. The new Workspace has some details that weren't even a second thought when the 2007 NV200 concept was created. Not only were we not charging our phones wirelessly back then, but touchscreen-based smartphones were just starting to gain a foothold. A lot has changed in less than a decade and that change is only quickening now.

A future NV200 office van may be able to autonomously drive occupants to and from meetings based upon a connected appointments calendar, offer back-up power for the main office via a bioethanol fuel cell, run errands like coffee pickups via integrated drone, or do some things we haven't even thought of yet.

The video below provides a closer tour, as does the photo gallery.

Nissan e-NV200: WORKSPACe the world’s first all-electric mobile office

Source: Nissan

View gallery - 28 images
4 comments
4 comments
Island Architect
The new Pacifica might be a better platform for an office.
Bill
JeffreyMeek
So I carry a sleeping bag and rest on the Nissan Floor no thanks. How long does battery power the Air conditioner. We will learn what the Nissan can do that a Prius Prime cannot.Embarrass me for starters. Either may be a best solution for student housing. Rebuilt Prius with salvage title is not a hardship.
RogerDrinkall
That thing is so ugly!!! If that front-end wasn't ugly enough...Nissan made it worse with ultra-ugly graffix - is that an upside down cross on the side of the van? That van is ASKING TO GET ROBBED - pull up at a beach with that kind of computer crap and EXPECT to get robbed. You couldn't look dumber!! Seriously, Nissan...are you really PAYING your people??? I could design a better van for fifty cents. Now what did you pay for that garbage? That's money you are stealing from what few legitimate customers you have left.
YouAre
Where's a toilet? They'd better hire a few DIY motorhome makers