A few years from now, the Nissan->ke62 NV200 van will become one of the most recognizable vehicles on the planet, thanks to its future role as one of the primary taxis running around one of the most famous cities in the world, New York City.

But that won't happen until late 2013.

Until then, Nissan will keep rolling out conceptual iterations of their van, beginning with the just-launched e-NV200 Concept, which the Japanese automaker unveiled in all its glory at the 2012 North American International Auto Show.->ke222

Taking the same face and color as that of the Nissan Leaf->ke3484, the e-NV200 Concept is based on the NV200 multi-usage vehicle. It previews what is already expected to be a near-future production version of a full electric vehicle designed to provide businesses or families with flexible, roomy interior space, while achieving a dramatic CO2 footprint reduction.

It doesn't do much in the way of attractiveness, but considering its clear and unbridled purpose of being an environmentally appeasing ride, we figure we could just focus on its true calling as a spacious zero-emissions ride.

Find out more about the Nissan e-NV200 Concept after the jump.

Exterior

The face of the Nissan e-NV200 Concept follows in the footsteps of the Nissan Leaf, which is to say that it sacrifices style for overall substance. The wide hood comes with a large central charging port door with a matching blue–accented Nissan badge and sweeping headlights with LED illuminated accents. Large front windows and long rear greenhouse are also part of the van's overall profile, and when combined with a pair of large glass roof panels, creates an airy, open interior that highlights the van's interior space. The exterior is painted in a customized color, following the concept of the Nissan LEAF's Aqua Blue, which expresses a sense of environmental friendliness.

Interior

The interior of the e-NV200 Concept promotes an environmental touch, highlighted by the use of EV meters and matched with blue colored accents and a bright interior color palette. The van also comes with advanced telematics and a flat C-cluster display that resembles and responds to user input, similar to the functions of a tablet computer.

Performance

As a zero-emissions vehicle, the e-NV200 Concept is powered by a 24kWh lithium-ion battery that's composed of 48 compact modules and a high-response 80kW AC synchronous motor that generates up to 207 lb/ft of torque. According to Nissan, the van's laminated 24 kWh lithium-ion battery will have roughly the same range as that of the Leaf, which means that a full charge can travel from anywhere between 47 to 105 miles.

New York Taxi of Tomorrow

Despite it's designation as a 'concept', the e-NV200 is scheduled to become one of the principal modes of public transportation in one of the world's most populous cities: New York City.

Beginning in late 2013, the NV200 will be designated as an official yellow taxi in Manhattan where it is estimated to carry up to 600,000 passengers a day. After winning the city's "Taxi of Tomorrow" competition, the NV200 Taxi is slated to carry even more unique features than a standard model of the NV200.

Among the interior features that are being pegged to come with the NV200 Taxi include a spacious cargo area to accommodate luggage for four passengers, sliding doors with entry step and grab handles for easy entry and exit, passenger-controlled rear-seat heat/air conditioning with a Grape Polyphenol filter to improve cabin air quality, enhanced interior materials intended to help passenger cabin smell fresher, and breathable, anti-microbial, easy-to-clean and environmentally friendly seat upholstery.