The London Taxi Company will produce a second vehicle at the new premises, a Light Commercial vehicle.

• Second vehicle from brand new facility to be a Light Commercial Van
• Purpose built, range extended EV to meet needs of the commercial sector across the globe
• Advanced technology to help tackle urban pollution crisis
• Targeting “last mile” delivery, distribution and maintenance sectors
• Incremental additional investment of around £25m bringing the total investment by parent Geely to £325m

Following today’s official opening of the London Taxi Company’s brand new R&D and manufacturing facility in Ansty, the company is delighted to announce that the second vehicle to come off the line will be a dedicated, range extended electric light commercial van (LCV).

This all new, highly flexible, commercially competitive electric vehicle will help fleet owners lower their running costs, improve air quality and support cities in tackling the pollution crisis in urban areas.

Chris Gubbey, CEO of the London Taxi Company said: “This is going to be the future proofed ’white van’ that people have been waiting for. Designed solely for the urban commercial sector, dedicated to the people who keep our cities working, it will be clean, competitive and ready for cities of the future.”

The air quality crisis in many urban environments has highlighted the scale of the opportunity and demand for zero emissions capable commercial vehicles in major cities across the world. 

Electrification is a key component of the global strategy to reduce emissions and the London Taxi Company is determined to apply its expertise in advanced electric vehicle technology, and the taxi market, to urban commercial vehicles.

Carl-Peter Forster, Chairman of the London Taxi Company said: “In addition to our brand-new taxi, the manufacturing of this all new light commercial van is a transformative step for the company as we will move from a single product, single market organization to a multi-product, multi market organization. 

We remain absolutely committed to designing and manufacturing dedicated, range extended EVs that build upon our deep knowledge of advanced technologies and the needs of the urban commercial sector.”

The London Taxi Company’s research and development team of around 200 people, now based in Ansty, has been working around the clock, building upon its new core EV platform architecture, to develop an outstanding LCV that is fit for the world’s cities in the 21^st century. 

Its ground-breaking work in developing the all new taxi underpins the LCV strategy having been created on the same range extended EV technology platform. 

With this platform and manufacturing capability already in place, designed for flexible production from day one, the company can bring to market the new LCV through an incremental additional investment of around £30m taking the total investment from parent company Geely to £325 million.

The new vehicle will help to meet emissions targets in cities around the world, as well as being able to handle the toughest urban environments. Importantly for drivers, the vehicle will be city ready and lower running costs, even as electric charging infrastructure continues to develop. 

Zhou Jianqan, the head of Geely’s Commercial Vehicle Division, said: “I am extremely proud to see Geely’s investment in the London Taxi Company allow it to evolve beyond the taxi market. The light commercial van sector in cities across the globe holds enormous potential and urban leaders are embracing zero emissions at an incredibly rapid pace. This vehicle is a result of the new R&D team based at Ansty and will complement Geely’s global expertise in electric vehicle technology adding to the world class talent across the group.”

ENDS 

Nissan launches a new special edition Black edition LEAF Electric Vehicle.

• Stylish new Nissan LEAF Black Edition is now on sale in the UK, priced from £26,890
• Striking features including exclusive black 16” alloy wheels, black door mirror caps and black roof spoiler
• Based on Acenta grade, model features the latest Nissan technologies, including Intelligent Around View Monitor
• First 200 customers in the UK will receive a free in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot

Nissan’s stylish LEAF Black Edition is now on sale in the UK, priced from £26,890 including the £4,500 government plug-in vehicle grant.

The world’s best-selling electric vehicle is now even more attractive with 0% APR representative finance from £199 per month with no minimum deposit, free insurance in the first year, free servicing in the first two years and a £1,000 Nissan deposit contribution.

Based on the Acenta grade, the Nissan LEAF Black Edition offers cutting-edge design to enhance the LEAF’s smooth and near silent ride with an exclusive new look.

Stylish exterior features include 16” black alloy wheels, LED headlamps, black door mirror caps and black rear roof spoiler. In addition, the Black Edition is completed with blue-stitched mats to give the interior a premium finish.

The Nissan LEAF Black Edition is equipped with Nissan’s latest innovative technology as standard with each model, including the NissanConnect EV telematics system and Intelligent Around View Monitor.

With instantaneous torque, optimised ride and handling and a chassis engineered specifically for UK drivers, the Nissan LEAF delivers a fun and exciting drive every time, but the Black Edition takes it one step further with a stylish new look.

Gareth Dunsmore, Director of Electric Vehicles at Nissan Europe, said: “The new LEAF Black Edition perfectly showcases Nissan’s commitment to making smart, premium quality products accessible for all. This stylish black number combines dynamic styling, with Nissan’s innovative zero-emission technology to offer customers a city-savvy intelligent mobility solution. Its sleek design compliments an exciting drive, delivered through high-class engineering, demonstrating that you don’t have to compromise on style or performance when purchasing an electric car.”

The limited edition model is on sale in the UK from March for a restricted production run up until August 2017, with the first 200 customers receiving a free Wi-Fi hotspot – capable of pairing with up to eight devices.

Nissan pioneered the electric vehicle movement with the launch of the original Nissan LEAF - the world’s first mass-market electric car - in 2010. Since then, Nissan LEAF owners across the globe have travelled more than two billion electric miles, saving nearly 500 million kilograms of CO₂ emissions*.

Today, there are more than 250,000 Nissan LEAFs on the road, making it the best-selling electric vehicle globally. With the LEAF’s 30 kWh battery now offering 155 miles in driving range** driving an electric car is more practical and enjoyable than ever before, providing an easy gateway to a zero-emission future.

Jaguar ;ets the new I-Pace loose on the streets of London, my cheque book is getting itchy.

• Jaguar I-PACE Concept driven on the streets of London for the first time
• Jaguar’s first electric vehicle - the I-PACE – will be launched in 2018
• Customers can register now at jaguar.co.uk to be one of the first I-PACE owners

Jaguar has unleashed its first electric vehicle – the Jaguar I-PACE – onto the streets for the first time. Driving on the streets of London’s famous Olympic Park, the electric performance SUV concept previews Jaguar’s first electric vehicle, the Jaguar I-PACE, which will be revealed in late 2017 and will be on the road in the second half of 2018.

“The feedback on the I-PACE Concept has been fantastic. With the I-PACE Concept we’ve torn up the rule book to create a vehicle with supercar inspired aesthetics, sports car performance and SUV space, in one electric package. It has surprised people and the enthusiasm for our first electric vehicle has been beyond all my expectations.

“Driving the concept on the streets is really important for the design team. It’s very special to put the car outside and in the real-world. You can see the true value of the I-PACE’s dramatic silhouette and powerful proportions when you see it on the road, against other cars. The I-PACE Concept represents the next generation of battery electric vehicle design. For me, the future of motoring has arrived.”

Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar

The I-PACE will be a long distance sprinter that accelerates to 60 mph in around 4 seconds, with a range of more than 500km (NEDC cycle) from the 90kWh lithium-ion battery. Charging is easy and quick, with 80 per cent charge achieved in just 90 minutes using 50kW DC charging.

Compact, lightweight electric motors at the front and rear axles generate a combined output of 400PS and 700Nm of torque, with the all-weather benefits of all-wheel drive. The I-PACE will also deliver the agility, ride comfort and refinement that will set it apart from all other electric vehicles: it will be a true Jaguar and a true drivers’ car.

Business Van Manager - The Renault Kangoo E.V. takes Best Green Van at the ceremony.

• Renault Kangoo Van Z.E. awarded Best Green Van by Business Van Manager
• Renault Kangoo Van Z.E. praised for efficiency
• The van with 106 miles of range (NEDC) available from £13,298.48 (inc. PiVG and excl. battery hire and VAT)

The 100 per cent electric Renault Kangoo Van Z.E. has proved its eco-credentials once more after picking up Best Green Van at the Business Van Manager Awards in London, today.

Europe’s best-selling electric van and former International Van of the Year impressed judges thanks to its green credentials. 

The Kangoo Van Z.E., first launched in 2011, is powered by a 44kW electric motor and 22kWh lithium-ion battery and four versions are available: Kangoo Van Z.E., Kangoo Van Maxi Z.E. (2 seats), Kangoo Van Z.E. Maxi Crew Van (5 seats) and Kangoo Maxi Crew Van CAB Z.E (5 seats with windows). It has a range of 106 miles (NEDC).

Thanks to its zero tailpipe emissions, a payload of 650kg and load capacity of up to 4.6m³, the Kangoo Van Z.E. is ideal for urban deliveries.  

Ralph Morton, Editorial Director, Business Van, said: “Look around London and you’ll notice the delivery van landscape is changing – and it’s being changed by this van, winner of our green award, the Kangoo Z.E. As the clouds gather over urban diesel emissions, Renault has all the answers. The zero emission Kangoo Z.E is a clear - and clean - winner of our green award.”

Paul Flanagan, Managing Director, Groupe Renault UK, said: “The Kangoo Van Z.E. is the perfect vehicle for many tradesmen, as proven by this award by Business Van. It is more than capable not just in cities, but also now for further travelling. With a variety of versions and trim levels, the Kangoo Van Z.E. caters for all needs and costs a matter of pence to charge so it’s frugal, too.”

Kangoo Van Z.E is Europe’s best-selling electric van, with a basic price of £13,298.48 (inc. PiVG and excl. battery hire and VAT). It carries over the same user-friendly functional features as the internal combustion-engined version and offers a silent, versatile driving experience with maximum torque available from start-up and seamless acceleration thanks to the absence of gear changes.

In January, the Kangoo Van Z.E. was unveiled with an uprated range of 168 miles NEDC – boosting its current range by over 60 per cent.

FLEET WORLD - Renault takes a triple win at this years awards ceremony, and its well deserved too !

• Renault picks up three awards at the Fleet World Honours 2017
• 100 per cent electric Renault ZOE wins Best Ultra Low Emission Vehicle
• All-New Mégane wins Best Lower Medium Car
• All-New Grand Scénic wins Best MPV
• Renault range is praised for head-turning design, efficiency and technologies

Renault has picked up three awards at the Fleet World Honours 2017 with the Renault ZOE, All-New Mégane and All-New Grand Scénic all winning their categories at the awards ceremony hosted by Fleet World magazine and held today at the Royal Automobile Club in London.

The all-electric Renault ZOE updated for 2017 and now available with a 250-mile range (NEDC) – the longest of any mainstream electric vehicle – was awarded Best Ultra Low Emission Vehicle thanks to its new longer range, smartphone apps and ease to live with.

The All-New Renault Mégane, launched in the UK in summer 2016, won Best Lower Medium Car and was praised in particular for its comfort, efficiency and technology.

The distinctive All-New Grand Scénic collected Best MPV thanks to its space, style and value for money.

Steve Moody, Publisher, Fleet World, said: “Beneath head-turning design, the Mégane feels a class above most rivals. It’s quiet, comfortable and effortlessly efficient, with clearly laid-out displays showing all the information drivers need at a glance. Extra space and efficient diesel engines to stretch the time between fill-ups means it’s perfect for a life on the road.

Renault has rediscovered its love for compact MPVs with the new Scenic. Beneath concept car styling, with vivid colours and large, aerodynamic wheels across the range, it’s still a genuinely practical mover of people and things… The pioneer has never been in better shape.

Meanwhile, Renault has always had a very complete EV offering with the ZOE, and the high-capacity battery option broadens its appeal. Drivers who need long range can now travel almost 200 miles under ‘real-world’ conditions, but there’s still a competitive smaller-capacity battery for those who don’t. With apps to alleviate anxiety by planning routes including charging stops, not only is the ZOE a great EV, but it needn’t be more challenging to live with than any other supermini.”

Paul Flanagan, Managing Director, Groupe Renault UK said: “2016 saw us complete the renewal of our family car line-up with the arrival of All-New Mégane and All-New Scenic alongside the Kadjar crossover, as well as revising ZOE to give it the longest range of any mainstream EV on sale today. We’re delighted that Fleet World has recognised all three models.  2017 is set to be another busy year as we add the Koleos crossover to Europe’s youngest model line-up.”

The Renault ZOE is an all-electric, five-door supermini available in a choice of three trim levels and with two battery options. With the new Z.E.40 battery, ZOE’s range is 250 miles (NEDC) – the longest of any mainstream EV.  Renault estimates that in real-world driving conditions that this equates to around 186 miles in summer and 124 miles in cold winter conditions. ZOE can charge from zero to 80 per cent full in as little as 60 minutes thanks to its patented Chameleon Charger™ that allows it to make the most of the widest range of power supplies and also keep charging times to a minimum. Renault’s Range OptimiZer technology ensures ZOE is highly efficient with its heat pump, a bi-modal braking system and Michelin ENERGY E-V tyres.  ZOE is available to purchase from £13,995 (OTR) after the Government Plug-in Car Grant with battery leasing from £49 per month.

The All-New Mégane – more dynamic, more comfortable and more refined than its predecessor – offers unique technology with an 8.7-inch portrait central touchscreen, Active Emergency Braking and convenient driver assistance systems such as Hands Free Parking and Adaptive Cruise Control. CO₂ emissions are as low as 96g/km with economy as high as 76.4mpg.  The All-New Renault Mégane range is available from £17,250 on-the-road.

The All-New Grand Scénic – part of the fourth generation Scénic family with its innovative design and distinctive 20-inch wheels – remains as impressively practical as ever thanks to its modularity and class-leading storage and boot space. The seven-seater also achieved a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating with Active Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection as standard – the only car in its class to have the safety feature applied throughout the range. Technologies such as Handsfree Parking and Adaptive Cruise Control are also available. The Grand Scénic’s One Touch Folding seats feature is another unique-in-class option whereby a button can be pressed, either from within the boot or from the multimedia system in the dashboard, to fold the rear seats, either individually or altogether, effortlessly to achieve a completely flat floor. The All-New Renault Grand Scénic is available from £23,375 on-the-road.