RENAULT’S 100% ELECTRIC KANGOO VAN Z.E. RANGE CONFIRMED AS ELIGIBLE FOR NEW PLUG-IN VAN GRANT

February 22, 2012

Renault’s Kangoo Van Z.E. range is now eligible for the UK’s new Plug-in Van Grant, offering buyers up to 20% off its purchase price*. In the case of the current International Van of the Year, the new initiative brings the line-up’s already tempting starting price down to £13,592 excluding VAT.

Kangoo Van Z.E., the world’s first 100% electric commercial vehicle produced directly by a mass market manufacturer, was confirmed eligible for the Government’s new Plug-in Van Grant earlier today, as one of just seven vans, by Transport Secretary Justine Greening and Business Minister Mark Prisk.

Commenting at the official launch event in London, Justine Greening said, “Our new grant demonstrates that you can be a motorist and still be pro-environment. Cars and vans are absolutely central to people’s lives – it’s how most of us get around and for many journeys they are, and will remain, the only practical and convenient travel choice. Nevertheless climate change is a global challenge we simply have to meet head on. It cannot be ignored or side-stepped.

“The new Plug-in Van Grant – offering up to £8,000 off one of these seven innovative vans – also makes business sense as it’s been estimated that a small electric van will typically cost £100 less in fuel for every thousand miles driven compared to a diesel equivalent.”

Renault has already received several business orders for its Kangoo Van Z.E., including ISS and JC Decaux. The former, displayed one of their liveried Kangoo Van Z.E.s this morning, for their Transport for London (TfL) bus stand and station cleaning contract, alongside one of the French marque’s Maxi versions.

All three variants of Renault’s Kangoo Van Z.E. are eligible for the new grant, the standard Kangoo Van Z.E., plus the longer wheelbase Maxi and five-seat Maxi Crew Van. As electric vehicles, they are all exempt from London Congestion Charge, 100% first year capital write-down allowance, plus zero road tax and fuel duty.

The new electric compact van range from Renault, the manufacturer with the widest electric vehicle range to date, is available with its new 4+ customer care package. This latest initiative gives buyers greater peace of mind through a four year/100,000 mile warranty (first two years unlimited mileage), four years/48,000 miles routine servicing (retail and local business customers), four years free roadside assistance and up to four years finance, subject to status. Battery hire, which reduces the upfront cost for customers as well as allaying any potential customer concerns over battery operation, longevity or replacement costs, is available from £60 per month.

Ellen MacArthur, whose charity, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, is currently using a Kangoo Van Z.E., welcomed the news “We’ve been running a Renault electric van to help with the work of my Foundation and it is working really well for us. Today’s announcement means people will have more choice about the kinds of vans that they can drive and I am pleased to support this initiative.”

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