Renault's Kangoo ZE named International Van of the Year

Renault's Kangoo ZE van has won the coveted International Van of the Year award, pipping the Ford's Iveco, Fiat's Ducato and the VW Caddy.

While all four contenders are popular choices in the van leasing and professional driving world, the 22-strong jury, comprised of motoring journalists, were impressed by the winner's sustainability credentials.

That's because unlike its competition, the electrically powered Kangoo ZE is a zero-emissions van; a vehicle that emits no tailpipe pollutants from the onboard source of power.

"With the Kangoo Van ZE, Renault brings the electric van within the reach of the normal European van user thereby delivering a major contribution to environmental sustainability, one of the most important issues of the transport of goods by road nowadays," explained jury chairman Pieter Wieman, reports IM Auto News.

The Kangoo ZE has exactly the same dimensions as the internal combustion model, but its speed is limited to 130km/h, or 81mph. Its synchronous electric motor with rotor coil produces a total output of 60-horsepower, with a peak torque of 226Nm.

It scooped 104 points out of a possible 168 and it may not be the last hurrah for the French manufacturer. Renault has a further four electric vehicles due out within the next 10 months.

Jean-Marie Hurtiger, director of Renault's light commercial vehicle division said of the team behind the Kangoo ZE: "They met the challenge in a remarkable manner, showing determination, creativity and, above all, an excellent team spirit that has now produced results," according to WebWire.com.