New Launches
Show Report: CV Show 2012
What a cracking event the 2012 Commercial Vehicle Show turned out to be, thanks in no small part to Ford… Read More
Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Long-Term Test 1
We has just taken delivery of a Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Club Cab for long-term appraisal… Read More
Ford Transit ECOnetic Brief Test
We’ve been putting a SWB 100hp 2.2TDi Euro 5 Transit 280 ECOnetic through its paces… Read More
Renault Kangoo ZE 2011 European Launch
Renault is at the forefront of manufacturers offering a mass produced factory-built electric van… Read More
Fuso Canter 2011 European Launch
Fuso has completely revamped its range of light and heavy truck Canter chassis and chassis crew cabs… Read More
Iveco Daily 2011 European Launch
Iveco has introduced new, latest generation diesels to its Daily range, along with detail changes inside and out… Read More
Ford Transit 2011 European Launch
Ford takes the iconic Transit to the next stage with an all-new range of 2.2-litre Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Volkswagen Crafter 2011 UK Launch
VW’s large panel van has undergone a serious makeover with changes to the front-end styling and the cab interior, as well as new Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Ford Transit Connect Electric Brief Test
We spent a day with the battery-powered Connect to get a better idea of what it’s like to live with in its natural, urban environment. Read More
Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL Brief Test
Currently undergoing trials with selected fleet customers in the UK, we managed to get behind the wheel of a battery-powered Vito E-CELL… Read More
Manufacturers welcome Plug-In Van Grant
Alliance partners and leading purveyors of electric vehicles, Nissan and Renault, have welcomed the news that the Plug-In Grant has been extended to include vans up to 3.5t (see News Story). It means that 20 per cent of the up-front cost of an electric van, approved for inclusion in the scheme, is reclaimable up to a maximum of £8,000.Renault’s battery-powered Kangoo Z.E. went on sale in the UK November 2011 and Nissan is currently undertaking real-world trials of a prototype e-NV200 in London with the help of FedEx Express (see News Story). Production models are due to reach UK showrooms some time in 2013. Nissan’s all-electric LEAF passenger car has been available in the UK since May 2011.
“The announcement reinforces the Government's commitment to improving air quality in cities and reducing carbon emissions, said James Wright, managing director of Nissan GB. “This grant, coupled with lower running costs and tax benefits, will make switching to an electric van a very attractive option for businesses.”
Andy Heiron, head of Renault UK’s electric vehicle programme said: “Having actively lobbied for the inclusion of commercial vehicles in the Plug-In Car Grant scheme over the past year, we're delighted that the Government has acted and made this announcement. This addresses the big question that many customers and industry commentators have been asking us for many months and I think we can expect to see a surge in demand.”