Japanese motoring manufacturer Nissan has taken the unusual step of unveiling a zero-emission ice-cream van to demonstrate the company’s Electric Ecosystem.
The concept which has developed in partnership with family owned Mackie’s of Scotland, an ice-cream producer whose farm is powered by renewable wind and solar energy. The project has been title ‘Sky to Scoop’ and comes with the aim of showing how companies which may have once been dependent on diesel engines, can make a greener switch.
Many ice-cream vans in the UK would fall foul of stricter emissions laws which are being introduced into many towns and cities across the country.
Nissan’s zero-emission ice-cream van is powered by a 40kWh battery, while the on board ice-cream equipment, fridge and freezer are powered by a portable power pack which uses recycled lithium-ion cells from first generation Nissan electric vehicles.
“Ice cream is enjoyed the world over, but consumers are increasingly mindful of the environmental impact of how we produce such treats, and the ‘last mile’ of how they reach us,” said Kalyana Sivagnanam, managing director, Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd.
“This project is a perfect demonstration of Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility strategy, applying more than a decade of EV experience and progress in battery technology to create cleaner solutions for power on the go – in ways customers might not expect.
“By eliminating harmful tailpipe emissions, and increasing our use of renewable energy, we can help make this a better world for everyone.”
Based on the Nissan e-NV200 model, the zero-emissions ice-cream van can drive for a range of 124-miles, and while the ice-cream may be out of service during the cold winter months, it can still pull in an income with the electricity pulled in through solar panels going back into the national grid.