Nissan created a really “cool” and green way to deliver creamy delights without diesel fuel to run the freezers for ice cream delivery. The concept re-uses battery packs from older Nissan vehicles to keep the soft serve machine and the freezers ice cold. Solar energy can power the freezes on sunny days. The van itself the Nissan electric van.
Nissan took the ICE (internal combustion engine) out of the ice cream van, creating an all-electric, zero-emission concept for ‘Clean Air Day’ in the UK on June 20th
Nissan partnered with Mackie’s of Scotland, an ice cream producer powering its family-owned dairy farm by renewable wind and solar energy. The project demonstrates how a ‘Sky to Scoop’ approach can remove carbon dependence at every stage of the ice cream journey.
Most ice cream vans, particularly older models, have diesel engines which are kept running to operate the refrigeration equipment. These motors are criticized for producing harmful emissions, including black carbon, when left idling. Some UK towns and cities are now looking to ban or fine these vehicles. Nissan’s concept presents a potential solution for vendors looking to reduce their carbon footprint, and offer customers a better experience.
The prototype van is based on the e-NV200, Nissan’s 100% electric LCV (light commercial vehicle). The concept is a working demonstration of Nissan’s Electric Ecosystem, combining a zero-emission drivetrain, second-life battery storage and renewable solar energy generation.
While the van’s motor is driven by a 40kWh battery, the on-board ice cream equipment, including a soft-serve machine, freezer drawer and drinks fridge, are powered by the newly unveiled Nissan Energy ROAM, which goes on sale later in 2019.
Designed for both professional and leisure applications, ROAM is a portable power pack that uses lithium-ion cells recovered from early first-generation Nissan electric vehicles (produced from 2010 onwards). This provides a sustainable second-life for Nissan EV batteries.
Nissan e-NV200 Ice Cream Van: Detail
The e-NV200 has an all-electric driving range of up to 124-miles (WLTP Combined)* between charges. The two Nissan Energy ROAM units have a combined storage capacity of 1.4kWh and can each output power at up to 1kW. They can be recharged either from a 230v mains supply (a full recharge takes about an hour), or the solar panel array on the van’s roof (a full recharge in 2-4 hours**).
The concept takes a number of new approaches to the ice cream van. Ice cream is served from a hatch that opens in the side of the vehicle, with the vendor dispensing ice cream standing next to the van – a customer-facing experience instead of being separated by an elevated counter.
Payment can be by cash, but also contactless bank card and smartphones via a ‘tap-to-pay’ panel mounted on the side of the van.
Instead of a jingle to attract customers – not always popular with parents – the concept has a smart button that generates a tweet of the van’s precise location using the global addressing service What3Words. What3Words divides the world into 3m x 3m locations, each with a unique three word address, e.g. ///trendy.angel.define is a spot on Brighton & Hove’s seafront in the UK. Customers can easily find the van in a park or seafront location where normal street addressing would not apply.
Thanks to the e-NV200’s bi-directional charging capability, owners could even income through the winter – when the van is less frequently used. Through a V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) charger, the e-NV200’s battery can be used to store surplus energy from the national grid (for example renewable wind and solar energy), and then provide it back to the grid when needed. This technology can help balance out the peaks in national energy demands, as well as providing EV owners with additional revenue from their vehicle when it’s not being driven.
Mackie’s is a Scottish ice cream producer aiming to be Britain’s ‘greenest’ company by becoming self-sufficient in energy and removing any dependence on fossil-fuels. Mackie’s uses solar panels, wind turbines and biomass plants to provide its family-owned farm with clean renewable energy. Mackie’s ice cream is made with fresh milk, cream and no artificial ingredients.
Mackie’s is the no.1 ice cream in Scotland (Kantarworldpanel 2019) and is available in all major UK supermarkets and exported to several countries around the world. ‘Traditional’ is Mackie’s most popular flavor and is a natural creamy ice cream – with no added vanilla. Mackie’s supplied some of their Traditional mix for the soft-serve machine and Mackie’s dairy ice creams for scooping from the freezer drawer.
The Nissan e-NV200 is a cost-effective and capable all-electric van, with a 40kWh battery capacity. Deliveries can be done easily and UK government incentives to drive electric include the plug-in car grant, zero congestion charge and zero road tax.
Compact on the outside and spacious on the inside, the Nissan e-NV200 is designed for city business, with 4.2m³ load space for cargo; a driving range of up to 187 miles in city conditions (WLTP Urban City Cycle), and rapid charging from 20-80% in just 40-60*** minutes.
With a storage capacity of 700Wh and maximum power output of 1kW, the Nissan Energy ROAM is a portable power pack offering a clean, sustainable solution for electricity on the go.
Comprising second-life batteries recovered from first-generation Nissan LEAF electric vehicles which have come to the end of their life, Nissan Energy ROAM is the latest example of Nissan’s leadership in sustainable energy technology.
Nissan Energy ROAM launches in Europe in 2019. Local market pricing will be announced in due course.
Clean Air Day is the UK’s biggest air pollution campaign. It’s a chance to find out more about air pollution, share information, and make the air cleaner and healthier for everyone.