Renault Welcomes Chancellor's Support for Electric Vehicles

MAPLE CROSS, UNITED KINGDOM – December 10, 2009: Renault welcomes Alistair Darling’s announcement in today’s Pre-Budget Report that electric cars will be exempt from company car tax from April 2010 for five years, with electric vans also benefiting from van benefit charge exemption over the same period, plus a 100 per cent first year allowance towards the purchase of such a van.

Speaking after hearing the Chancellor’s electric vehicle tax plans, Renault UK Managing Director, Roland Bouchara, said: “Electric vehicles are already exempt from vehicle excise duty (VED), so this excellent news will undoubtedly assist in encouraging the British public and business community to adopt zero-emission (ZE) transport. We’re convinced that our exciting ‘Z.E.’ range, which is just 18 months away, will capture everyone’s imagination, so this latest financial incentive adds even greater weight to the case for electric transport, alongside its obvious environmental and running cost benefits. Today’s announcement should also help towards ensuring the swift development of an expansive electric vehicle charging infrastructure throughout the country.”

Renault’s unprecedented push into the zero-emission electric vehicle arena begins in Europe in 2011, with the launch of the first three models from an initial four-model Z.E. family, designed to be affordable for everyone. The first of the electric trio will be a four-door Fluence saloon, followed by a Kangoo Van and latterly a city vehicle based on the eye-catching two-seat Twizy concept. A supermini will join the fold in early 2012.

For more information on Renault’s ‘Zero Emission Vehicles for All’ plans, see www.renault-ze.com.