Commenting on the Environmental award, Fleet World Editor, Steve Moody, said, 'Lots of manufacturers are talking about electric vehicles, but few have invested anywhere near the time, money and effort that Renault has. The excellent Twizy, ZOE and Fluence Z.E. prove that this investment and effort is starting to pay off.'

Fleet World Managing Editor, Ross Durkin (Inset), said, 'Judging the Fleet World Honours does not get any easier. In the last year we have seen some tremendous new cars launched – many powered by alternative fuels – as well as the introduction of some very innovative new fleet services. When judging the car awards we were very mindful of key issues such as emissions levels, safety, resale values and reliability. However we also have to remember that essential ingredient – desirability – when assessing a vehicle’s overall position and that can be seen in the results.'

Commenting on the Editor’s award for Kangoo Van Z.E., Van Fleet World Editor, John Kendall, said, 'Future motive power is almost certain to come from electricity. No matter how much we like internal combustion engines and the energy-dense fuel that makes them go, progressive depletion of our oil reserves will make it unattractive in cost terms long before this century, or our supplies run out.   Electricity can be produced from renewables or the hydrogen fuel cell. For battery vehicles, range is likely to increase appreciably by 2020, meaning that most current (excuse the pun) objections will be overcome.

'Renault has staked a lot on electric vehicles and the Kangoo Van Z.E. is undoubtedly one of the most significant commercial vehicles launched in the past year. The price is right, better still with the Government electric van grant, and the low noise driving experience will be music to van drivers ears.   For vans on the right duty cycle, the Kangoo Z.E. is a winner. The problem most fleets are likely to face could be persuading drivers to get back in a diesel once they’ve tasted the electric driving experience,' he added.

Fleet World Managing Editor, Ross Durkin, said, 'The LCV manufacturers continue to produce some first-class vans which every year seem to get better in terms of safety, environmental performance, reliability and whole-life cost. As well as traditionally powered vans, we are no seeing the emergence of a growing number of electric vehicles and this exciting market sector promises much in the future. We are also delighted to recognise the excellent quality of some of the industry’s key fleet service providers in this year’s awards.'

The Fleet World Honours are presented annually to those motor manufacturers, service companies and individuals who have, in the opinion of the judges, achieved the highest possible level of excellence in their sector.   The awards are open to all motor manufacturers and the judging process combines the expert opinion of the Fleet World editorial team with the values provided by a number of leading leasing companies and fleet data providers.

The judging panel is chaired by Steve Moody, Editor of Fleet World, and includes John Kendall, Alex Grant and Ross Durkin from the Fleet World editorial team. Residual value, maintenance and reliability data is provided by ALD Automotive, Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions, Lex Autolease, LeasePlan and Arval. Market value data is provided by EurotaxGlass and VIPDATA.  The Van Fleet World Honours judging panel is chaired by John Kendall, Editor of Van Fleet World.

Renault’s Kangoo Van Z.E. range is eligible for the Government’s new Plug-in Van Grant that brings the line-up’s already tempting starting price down to £12,912excluding VAT.

A jury of 22 European journalists specialising in light commercial vehicles had already voted Kangoo Z.E. International Van of the Year 2012 – the first time an electric vehicle has won this prize competing against numerous internal-combustion vans.