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
Volkswagen Crafter 2011 European Launch
Volkswagen’s Crafter has undergone a midlife makeover and gets a new front-end along with new Euro 5 engines… Read More
Renault scores loan for EV development
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has granted the Renault Group a €180m (£149m) loan to develop future vehicle lithium-ion battery and electric motor technology. The main objective is to make electric vehicles more competitive and ultimately speed up the development of a mass market.This loan continues the partnership established between the EIB and Renault in 2009. It received a €400m loan from the EIB for R&D aimed at optimising and increasing the efficiency of conventional powertrains, and developing wholly electric vehicles, the first of which to come to market was the Kangoo Z.E. which went on sale in the UK November 2011.
“We support leading-edge technologies since they shape the future in terms of sustainable development and competitiveness,” said EIB vice president Philippe de Fontaine Vive at the recent signing ceremony. “This cooperation will enable us to prepare together the future of the motor industry in Europe, whose citizens will be the first to benefit in their day-to-day lives”.
