Nissan has expanded its electric e-NV200 Combi range with the addition of a seven-seat version of its van-based people carrier.

The e-NV200 has a 106-mile range and will be eligible for a £4500 discount under the revised Plug-in Car Grant scheme that comes into place from the beginning of March.

We’ve sampled the top-spec Tekna model, which is kitted out with an array of niceties including 15-inch alloys, cruise control, climate control, rear-view camera and Bluetooth.

The seven-seat package is actually structured as an option rather than a separate model and is priced at £317. This makes it a fairly straightforward low-cost decision.

The rear two seats are accessed easily past a tilt-and-tumble middle row that does require a bit of a heave on the strap, and although legroom isn’t expansive the van shape means there’s plenty of headroom, as well as a degree of space for luggage, even with all seven seats used.

It’s worth noting that the middle row splits 60:40, so it’s easier to access row three from the driver’s side, where you’ve only got to lift the single seat.

The rear seats don’t slide seamlessly out of sight when not required. They do fold, but sideways to the wall of the vehicle, so a decent central load space is created, but not one that is full width.

The driving position is a touch compromised for taller users, but the quiet, zero-emissions drive is a relaxing way to travel. Around town, the official predicted range falls in line with mileage, while at motorway speeds it plunges.

After the £4500 Government grant, the running cost figure drops to 51.8p per mile over three years and 60,000 miles – 0.5p per mile cheaper than the 1.5-litre diesel NV200 Combi.

The low cost of electricity combats both the post-grant purchase price that’s more than £5000 higher, and the fact that the electric van’s 20.9% residual value compares unfavourably with the diesel’s 24.2%.