The Renault Kangoo ZE has been voted International Van of the Year 2012 by a jury of 22 European journalists specialising in light commercial vehicles.
It is the first time that an electric vehicle has won this prize, competing against numerous internal combustion vans. The jury chose the Kangoo ZE for its zero-emission (in use ) virtues, as well as for its practical and economical qualities. The Kangoo ZE was launched in Ireland on 11/11/11 and has already picked up three awards including the Fleet Transport Green Commercial Vehicle 2012 at the Fleet Transport awards in Dublin in October and a further award in Denmark.
Eric Basset, managing director of Renault Ireland, is delighted, but not surprised, by the win.
“This prize rewards the work of the people at Renault who have worked for several years on the Kangoo ZE, one of Renault’s range of four electric vehicles. All of the company’s functions were involved in the adventure. They met the challenge in a remarkable manner, showing determination, creativity and, above all, an excellent team spirit that has now produced results. We have just launched Kangoo ZE in Ireland and already there is great interest from the commercial and service sector, and the general public are also now becoming more aware that electric is here and is available and affordable to all.”
With 104 points out of a possible 168, Kangoo ZE beat off competition from the Iveco Daily, Fiat Ducato, and VW Caddy. The award was presented to Jean-Marie Hurtiger, director of Renault’s Light Commercial Vehicle division, at the inaugural evening of the 14th International Trailer Show in Belgium.
Jury chairman Pieter Wieman explained: “With the Kangoo ZE Renault brings the electric van within the reach of the normal European van user, thereby delivering a major contribution to environmental sustainability, one of the most important issues of the transport of goods by road nowadays.”
Kangoo ZE, a light commercial vehicle by Renault
Renault, the European leader in light commercial vehicles (LCVs ) since 1998, has extended its line-up with Kangoo ZE, the electric version of Kangoo. It is the first full-electric van produced entirely in-house by a vehicle manufacturer.
By fitting the battery under the floor of Kangoo ZE, Renault has kept the same load capacity and dimensions as the internal-combustion version. Kangoo ZE comes in two lengths and three versions, all of them produced at the MCA Maubeuge plant in France on the same line as its fuel-powered sister. The range’s diversity responds to the varied needs of professionals, with load volume ranging from 3 cubic metres to 4.6 cubic metres and goods and passenger transport both possible.
The first widely-accessible ZE
Kangoo ZE, the very first vehicle in the Renault ZE range, arrived in Renault dealerships in Ireland on 11/11/11. It is available starting at €16,400 excluding VAT and including tax (with government incentive ). The battery rental starts from €72 excluding VAT a month for 36 months and 10,000 km.
Just released and already distinguished
The International Van of the Year is the culmination of a series of prizes rewarding Kangoo ZE.
Following the Fleet Transport Green Commercial of 2012 selected by the Fleet Transport Awards jury of experts and the Van of the Year in Denmark, voted by a jury of motoring journalists, it’s the third trophy won by Kangoo ZE in Europe.
Sean White Car Sales, Athlone are a leading dealer of Renault in the Midlands. For more information log on to www.athlonerenault.com or call (090 ) 6492887.
