The van replaces a larger, diesel-powered vehicle and will be used by an underground team for six weeks to test its viability for use in the United States.

Charlie Allcock, director, business development at PGE, said: ‘EVs have already demonstrated their value as a sustainable choice for personal use, and fleet electrification is the logical next step. We’re excited to see firsthand the impact the e-NV200 can have on our own fleet and to help other companies understand the potential it represents for them.’

Sharing its drivetrain with the LEAF, the e-NV200 goes on sale in Europe this summer and Japan before the end of the year, following fleet tests in both markets with companies including British Gas, DHL, FedEx, the Japan Postal Service and Coca-Cola.

Nissan said it will carry out further trials in California, Georgia, Oregon and Washington D.C. later in the year, with FedEx confirmed as a participant.

Toby Perry, Nissan’s director of EV Marketing in the U.S., said: ‘Oregon has been a top five market for Nissan LEAF sales in the U.S. due to proactive policies at the state level to encourage EV adoption, as well as robust charging infrastructure championed by the state and others like PGE.

‘If we determine that e-NV200 fits into the U.S. commercial vehicle market, we expect that Portland would be a leading driver for sales as well.’