2000 Nissan Silver Fox - AllCarIndex

The 2000 Nissan Silver Fox is a one-of-a-kind electric composite vehicle (ECV) developed as a collaborative effort between a small independent engineering team and Nissan’s Sunderland plant in the United Kingdom. Conceived in 1995 by Jeff Harrison of Mawdsley Bleachers ECV in Brampton, Cumbria, the Silver Fox was brought to life through a combination of innovative design, sustainable technology, and strategic support from Nissan.

Designed as an eco-friendly, low-cost resort-style vehicle, the Silver Fox is a two-seater, open-sided ECV capable of reaching speeds over 60 mph, making it a significant departure from traditional slow-moving holiday vehicles such as the “mini-moke.” The Silver Fox’s purpose was not to compete with mass-market automobiles, but rather to serve a niche market—primarily closed environments like estates, resorts, and holiday complexes.

The Silver Fox’s engineering is rooted in sustainability and cost-efficiency. It costs less than 1.5 pence per mile to operate, and its electric powertrain is supported by batteries that can be recharged using a standard 13-amp domestic socket. When fully charged, the vehicle offers a range of 50–60 miles.

A standout feature of the Silver Fox is its chassis platform, which is manufactured using the network injection moulding (NIM) process. This patented and award-winning technique, previously applied only in the petrochemical industry, was used for the first time in automotive production with the Silver Fox. The process allows the chassis and floor pan to be moulded in a single operation, complete with integrated mounting points and threaded inserts. Remarkably, 70% of the composite structure is recyclable at the end of the vehicle’s life cycle.

Key mechanical components—including wheels, suspension, steering, brakes, instrumentation, and wiring—were sourced from the Nissan Micra, provided by the Sunderland plant. Nissan also supplied technical guidance and design input, notably through Roy Shaw of their design department, who praised the project for its originality and potential.

The successful completion of the Silver Fox in 2000 marked a milestone for small-scale, environmentally conscious automotive engineering and highlighted the value of collaboration between independent innovators and major automotive manufacturers.