VACUUM cleaner manufacturer Numatic International has taken delivery of the first of six Citroen Berlingo Electrique vans. They are to be used by the company's maintenance team within the factory boundaries and for work within 10 miles of the site.

Adrian Barnett, corporate sales manager at the Olds Group Citroen commercial vehicle dealer in Cheltenham, helped the Chard-based company through the process of obtaining a £2,220 grant for each vehicle through the Powershift programme.

The Berlingo Electrique costs £9,160 plus VAT, and monthly battery rental is £74 plus VAT. It has the same three cubic metre load volume as the petrol and diesel models and has a payload of 500kg. The motor gives a top speed of 60mph and acceleration from 0-30mph in 8.4 seconds. Depending on use, it has a practical range of about 60 miles.

From flat, the batteries can be charged in nine hours from a domestic plug via an in-built charger unit. Alternatively, by using a special higher amp output boost supply, they can be fast-charged for 10 minutes to give a range of about 12 miles.