Fully charged for local businesses….

26th January 2012 5:24PM

The first electric powered Commercial Van, the Renault Kangoo ZE, is due to hit the streets of the North East from this week.

Benfield Renault in Newcastle has been chosen by the French Manufacturer to be the Flagship retailer and supplier of the revolutionary vehicle.

The ‘all electric’ van is likely to prove very popular with small and middle sized businesses in the region in particular local tradesman such as plumbers and joiners who will benefit from up to 20% Government subsidy, reduced running costs, zero road tax, zero benefit in kind and zero emissions

Mark Squires, Chief Executive, Benfield Motor Group, said “This is fantastic news for Benfield Renault and our customers. As a family owned business we are delighted to be at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution and to be chosen to retail the first commercially available electric van to hit the street of Newcastle is very exciting and a piece of history in the making.”

“We believe the Kangoo ZE will prove very popular with small and middle sized businesses in the North East in particular local tradesman who will now qualify for Government support and reduced running cost and road tax benefits.

Benfield have recently invested over £200,000 in it’s new ‘Project Air’ showroom, the first in the region to receive a facelift ‘a la Renault’. The concept creates a more environmentally friendly, energy efficient and spacious showroom with facilities to provide the full range of sales and after-sales for the electric vehicle range.

Thierry Sybord, Managing Director, Renault Uk, said, “I’m delighted to see Benfield embracing this new era of electric transport. All ZE Expert sites have a Kangoo Van Z.E. demonstrator van so that members of the public can experience for themselves the feeling of driving an electric vehicle. This is just the start, we have a full range of four fully-electric models set to launch in the UK in less than one year and we have high hopes for our ZE range.

“I’m sure our ZE Expert dealers will reap the rewards on both sales and after-sales and we look forward to charging ahead with them in the months and years ahead as we seek to attract as many electric vehicle customers as possible.”

Benfield Renault is now live and ready to offer the full range of sales and after-sales services for electric vehicle customers having benefited from sales staff training, site upgrade and infrastructure programme.

The dealership is able to handle all potential EV customer questions as well as offer advice on running an EV vehicle, battery hire options and the essential environmental and financial benefits of owning an electric vehicle.

The Renualt Kangoo ZE retails at £16, 990 and with van buyers eligible to receive up to 20% of Government support off the cost of the plug-in vehicle the price could reduce to £13, 592.