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 vehicle in the region.

The Newcastle company hopes the van will be popular with small and middle-sized businesses, especially tradesman such as plumbers and joiners, who will be attracted by a Government subsidy of up to 20% on the price as well as lower running costs and no road tax.

Benfield chief executive Mark Squires 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 Newcastle is very exciting and a piece of history in the making.”

Benfield has recently invested more than £200,000 in its new Project Air showroom – the first in the region to receive a facelift “a la Renault”. This means it has created 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.

Renault UK managing director Thierry Sybord said: “I’m delighted to see Benfield embracing this new era of electric transport.

“All ZE Expert sites have a Kangoo Van ZE demonstrator van so members of the public can experience for themselves the feeling of driving an electric vehicle. We have a full range of four fully-electric models set to launch in the UK in less than one year.”