Renault Kangoo Van Siblings Triumph At Inaugural Business Van Manager Awards

LONDON – Jan 17, 2014: It was a double celebration for the Renault Kangoo Van today after winning the “two most hotly contested categories” at the inaugural Business Van of the Year Awards in London.

The 100 per cent electric Kangoo Van Z.E. picked up the coveted Green Van of the Year crown, while its diesel sibling Kangoo Van ML19dCi 75 Stop & Start was named best Small Trades Van at a glitzy ceremony in Mayfair.

The five expert judges, full of industry knowledge and experience, and representing the leading small business motoring website, selected the best in sector Renaults from 50 entries across 12 categories.

The awards were launched by Business Van Manager, the destination website for van users, ranging from small businesses, trades, and SME fleet van operators, to help focus its readers’ thoughts on the very best options on the market.

The Green Van category was open to all vehicles which reduce their environmental presence on the road, and the Kangoo Van Z.E. saw off stiff competition, including the Ford Fiesta Van and two vans from Volkswagen, to secure the prize for the French brand – Europe’s number one van manufacturer.

Ralph Morton, editorial director, Business Van Manager, commented: “What a great electric van this is. Although the Renault Kangoo Z.E. is limited in its range (106 miles), the van’s overall performance, around town agility and low running costs make it an excellent choice for small businesses wanting to operate a green van in city environments.”

The Best Small Trades Van is geared towards helping people like electricians, painters and decorators who need a good compact van that’s manoeuvrable, and offers low running costs.

The category is open to vans below 2.5 tonnes, with the Renault Kangoo getting the final nod over the shortlisted Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot Partner, Vauxhall Combo and Volkswagen Caddy at Corrigan's in the capital.

Mr Morton said: “The small trades van sector is supremely competitive, but the Kangoo wins for us because it’s the best example of how a small trades van can appeal to a wide variety of users in many business sectors.”

Judges included Mark Cartwright, head of vans and light commercial vehicles at FTA (Freight Transport Association), Marcus Puddy, director of commercial vehicles with the biggest leasing company in the UK, LexAutolease, Richard Bunn, director of White Hot Vans, Eddie Parker, fleet LCV consultant at GE Capital Fleet Services, Rod Lloyd, managing director of Low Cost Vans, and chairman Keith Hawes, managing director of Magma Automotive Services.

Kangoo Van Z.E is Europe’s best-selling compact electric van, with a basic price of £12,995 (excluding battery hire, on-the-road charges, VAT and following the deduction of the Plug-in Van Grant). Available in two- and-five-seat Maxi versions, too, it carries over the same user-friendly functional features as the internal combustion-engined version with a carrying capacity ranging from 2.4 to 4.6m3, a payload of 650kg and the same level of comfort. Kangoo Van Z.E. also offers a silent, versatile driving experience with maximum torque available from start-up and seamless acceleration thanks to the absence of gear changes.

It is simple to charge, requires considerably less maintenance than an internal combustion-engined model and also confers benefits such as London Congestion Charge exemption and naturally, zero tailpipe emissions. Since its launch, it has been consistently acclaimed by the media and secured the International Van of The Year award in 2012.