Renault is delighted by today’s news that electric van buyers will be able to receive 20%, up to £8,000, off the cost of their new purchase. Announced earlier by Transport Minister, Norman Baker and Business Minister, Mark Prisk, Renault and the UK’s electric vehicle market as a whole, are set to benefit even further with confirmation that funding for the Plug-In Car Grant, which offers electric car buyers up to £5,000 (25% of vehicle cost), will be funded until 2015.

With its 100% electric Kangoo Van Z.E. – the world’s first electric commercial vehicle produced directly by a mass-market manufacturer - launched just one month ago, set to be joined by three electric cars before the Autumn of 2012, Renault is in a prime position to make the most of this latest boost for low-emission driving.

Commenting on the news, Andy Heiron, Head of Electric Vehicle Programme, Renault UK, 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. Allied to the environmental and corporate social responsibility benefits of running an EV, a fully electric van for less than £13,600 with significantly lower running costs than a diesel, is a very compelling financial argument in favour of Kangoo Van Z.E.”