Europe's biggest selling All Electric commercial Vehicle is the Nissan e-NV200.

• The all-electric Nissan e-NV200 is the best-selling electric van in 2016, across 17 countries in Europe
• Total Nissan e-NV200 sales increased by 7 percent in 2016
• UK, Norway and France are the top three markets for e-NV200 sales
• Nissan offers a five year / 60,000 mile warranty on all new Nissan e-NV200s

The Nissan e-NV200 topped the charts to become Europe’s best-selling electric van in 2016.* The award-winning all-electric van ranked number one in 17 countries across Europe, ahead of its competitors in the category.

The UK is the top market in Europe for Nissan e-NV200, followed closely by Norway and France. Sales were up 20% on the previous year and alongside the LEAF, Nissan’s electric vehicle models command almost 50% of the entire EV market in the UK. 

In the UK, sales of e-NV200 have more than doubled since launching in 2014 with the model claiming just over 82% market share in 2016.

With overall Nissan e-NV200 sales up 7 percent in 2016 compared to the previous year with 4,319 units registered throughout Europe, it is clear the popularity of this 100 percent electric van is on the rise.

Gareth Dunsmore, Director of Electric Vehicles at Nissan Europe, said: “As more and more businesses focus on reducing their carbon footprint, the need to find zero emission transport solutions is becoming more important than ever. Through Nissan Intelligent Mobility, we are working towards a sustainable future and our e-NV200 complements our vision perfectly whilst catering to a wide range of customer needs.

“Aside from its obvious environmental advantages, e-NV200 owners also benefit from its low-running costs, starting from as little as two pence per mile, a smooth and near-silent ride and 40 percent lower servicing costs when compared with an equivalent diesel vehicle.”

Nissan e-NV200 customers can also benefit from Nissan’s recently introduced five year / 60,000 mile warranty** on new e-NV200s. The five year warranty covers mechanical and electrical vehicle components, battery capacity, corrosion (up to 12 years) and roadside assistance.

The Nissan e-NV200 is the perfect transport solution for families and businesses alike, combining the best of Nissan’s NV200 van with zero-emission technology from the world’s best–selling electric car, the Nissan LEAF. Available in both commercial van and fully trimmed Combi and Evalia passenger variants, the e-NV200 line-up offers a variety of options to suit every requirement; including a panel van, five-seat and seven-seat option and a driving range of up to 106 miles on a single charge.***

*Based on consolidated registration figures from official sources in Europe on December 31^st, 2016 (all Europe except Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, and Moldova).

**The Basic Vehicles Warranty according to 3.1 of the Warranty Booklet and Maintenance Record is extended to five-Year (from the warranty start date)/ 60,000 mile (whichever comes first) warranty for e-NV200. Body parts and paint excluded during year four and year five. Terms and exclusions apply accordingly, for further information please see Extended Warranty Terms and Conditions. Apart from the afore-mentioned, all warranty conditions included in the Warranty Booklet and Maintenance Record remain unchanged. Issuer of this Extended Warranty is Nissan International Insurance Ltd.

***A range of up to 106 miles per full charge (based on new European Driving Cycle). Actual consumption and range may vary due to driving style road condition, air-conditioning and other factors outside our control.

Singapore’s first hypercar, the all-electric Dendrobium concept, will make its global debut at this March’s Geneva Motor Show.

• Singapore’s first hypercar, the all-electric Dendrobium concept, will make its global debut at this March’s Geneva Motor Show
• High performance zero emission two-seater comes from Singapore electric mobility experts Vanda Electrics
• Vanda Electrics’ technical partner is Williams Advanced Engineering, the technology and engineering services division of the Williams Group
• Dendrobium will feature advanced aerodynamics, lightweight composite structures and electric powertrain development
• Its interior will boast the world’s lowest carbon leather from Bridge of Weir Leather Company
• Further details will be revealed in the coming months    

A fully electric revolution is heading to this year’s Geneva Motor Show in the shape of the Dendrobium, Singapore’s first-ever hypercar.

Making its global debut on March 7^th, the high performance two-seater concept is the brainchild of Singapore electric mobility experts Vanda Electrics and mixes striking design with the latest in e-powertrain development.

Dendrobium’s high-tech componentry will be clothed in a remarkable body featuring an automatic roof and doors, which open in a synchronized, theatrical manner, resembling a fully-opened dendrobium flower, a genus of orchids native to Singapore.

Vanda Electrics has engaged Williams Advanced Engineering, the technology and engineering services division of the Williams Group – which also includes Williams Martini Racing – as its technical partner to build the Dendrobium concept and assist in future project development. The division specialises in race-bred aerodynamics, composites, batteries and electric drivetrains.

The interior of the Dendrobium will feature the finest Scottish leather from Bridge of Weir Leather Company, which sources the best hides from the best heritage breeds and has adopted the very latest technology. The result is the lowest carbon tannery and leather product in the world.

Marking the latest step in Vanda Electrics’ global strategy to revolutionise zero emissions vehicles, the Dendrobium follows on from a commercial vehicle (http://vandaelectrics.com/pro-anttruck) and e-scooter (http://motochimp.com). Further Dendrobium details will be revealed in the coming months.

Vanda Electrics CEO Larissa Tan, explained: “Dendrobium is the first Singaporean hypercar and the culmination of Vanda Electrics’ expertise in design and technology. We are delighted to be working with Williams Advanced Engineering, world-leaders in aerodynamics, composites and electric powertrains and Bridge of Weir Leather Company, makers of the finest, lowest-carbon leather in the world. The Dendrobium is inspired by nature and rooted in technology, a marriage of design and engineering – I can’t wait to reveal the car to the world in March.”

Renault Pro+ is to presen.t the all-electric New Kangoo Z.E. on 13 January at the 2017 European Motor Show

• Renault Pro+ is to present the all-electric New Kangoo Z.E. on 13 January at the 2017 European Motor Show in Brussels, Belgium.
• Renault Pro+ will equip the latest Kangoo Z.E. with a new motor and battery package that will increase the model’s driving range by more than 50 per cent, from 106 miles (170km) to 168 miles (270km) NEDC. That is equivalent to 124 miles (200km) in real world driving conditions.
• The New Kangoo Z.E. will offer the longest available driving range in the small van market. 

The Kangoo Van Z.E. is a completely practical solution for environmentally-conscious business customers who have praised the driving enjoyment it delivers, as well as its carrying capacity and competitive operating costs.

This announcement to increase the range on Kangoo Z.E. follows on from Renault recently launching at the 2016 Paris Motor Show the New Renault ZOE available with a new Z.E.40 battery that increases its NEDC driving range to 250 miles (186 miles in real world driving conditions) – the longest of any mainstream electric car.

Renault is Europe’s leading manufacturer of both all-electric LCVs and passenger cars.

More information about the New Kangoo Z.E. will be provided on 13 January 2017.

The Renault ZOE has taken the top prize at the 2016 Green Apple Awards, judged by members of the Midland Group of Motoring Writers

The all-electric Renault Zoe has taken top honours at the 2016 Green Apple Awards, presented at the House of Commons and singling out cars that are both good to drive and economical in the real world.

The awards, presented on Friday (11 November) are organised by the Midlands-based The Green Organisation and judged by members of the Midland Group of Motoring Writers.

After clinching the category for pure electric and hybrid cars, the Zoe went to take the Green Apple champion title, beating a diesel version of the Audi A6 in second place overall.

One of the judges said of the Zoe: "It is by some measure the most convincing all-electric vehicle I've driven. So good, in fact, than it only takes a few miles to forget what's powering you along so convincingly."

Midland Group chairman Ian Donaldson presented a Renault representative with the top place award at the House of Commons.

MGMW Green Apple Awards in full

SUPERMINIS

The Mazda2 1.5 litre diesel had to be content with second spot this time, after a category win last year.

The supermini champion for 2016 is the car that was runner-up in 2015 - in the shape of the petrol powered Suzuki Celerio Dualjet.

One judge said: "It is a remarkably driveable and economical city car."

SMALLER FAMILY CARS

 Second place went to the Honda Civic 1.6 i-DETC, chosen, as one of the judges said, "because it is stylish, good to drive and refined, and one of the most genuinely economical cars in its class."

The winner is another British-built hatch - the new Vauxhall Astra 1.6 CDTi 110 Ecoflex.

A Midland Group judge commented: "The new Astra shows there's lots of life left in diesels."

LARGER FAMILY CARS

Here, the fight was, perhaps not surprisingly, between a couple of cars from Germany.

In the end second place went to the BMW 320d ED with the winner emerging as the Volkswagen Passat 1.6 TDI Bluemotion.

SMALLER SUVs and 4x4s

A whole year has not been able to shake the judges from their 2015 decisions.

That means in second spot we have the Nissan Qashqai 1.5dCi 110 2WD while the winner - for the second consecutive year - is the Dacia Duster 1.5 dCi 110 4x2.

A judge said of the Dacia: "It’s cheap, it’s cheerful, it’s rugged and does what it says on the tin without any fuss or needless frills. The running costs are great, as is the price to buy or lease."

PURE ELECTRIC AND HYBRID CARS

The Uber driver's favourite Toyota Prius drives quietly into second spot.

The winner this year, though, is the Renault Zoe, the French car maker's entry into affordable purely electric family transport.

EXECUTIVE CARS

In second place is the impressive Jaguar XF E-Performance but it has to give way to this year's winner, for the second year in a row - the Audi A6 2.0 TDI Ultra.

One of our judges said: "The Audi has a build quality that is second to none. Love the handsome looks, the logical switchgear – the fuel tank that keeps on giving – and the effortless mile munching, planted drive."

OVERALL GREEN APPLE CHAMPIONS for 2016  

In second spot was the Audi A6.

A judge said: "It offers performance, practicality prestige, frugality and a fit and finish that justifies the price-tag."

But taking the top step this year is the Renault Zoe.

A judge said: "The Zoe shows Renault's commitment to the future of electric power in an affordable package that looks good, drive well and does its bit to make the planet a little bit greener."

DS Virgin Racing is determined to show what it can do in Marrakesh, after missing the opportunity to win the season-opener in Hong Kong.

DS Virgin Racing is determined to show what it can do in Marrakesh, after missing the opportunity to win the season-opener in Hong Kong. For the team, round two is all about capitalising on the undoubted pace of the car and drivers to get points on the board.

Despite both cars qualifying on the second row of the grid in Hong Kong, DS Virgin Racing came away without scoring any points in the opening race of the 2016-17 Formula E season. The team is focused on rectifying this at the second round of the championship, as Formula E makes its debut in Africa at the Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan.

Marrakesh is a track of significance to DS Virgin Racing, both to its drivers and engineers. “I’ve raced and won here three times before with the WTCC,” explains José María López. “It was a touch narrow. But then again, a Formula E car takes up less room than a WTCC car, so it should be a good fight.”

The team’s engineers have a history of racing and winning in Marrakesh and are confident this will give them an advantage. DS Virgin Racing’s track simulator testing has also revealed that the top achievable speed for a Formula E car is 210 km/h, faster than the WTCC’s 205 km/h.

The track is a dramatic departure from Hong Kong – twelve turns to Hong Kong’s nine and over half a kilometre longer. As the longest track on the Formula E calendar, the challenge for Marrakesh will be tactical battery preservation – something that Sam Bird displayed masterfully during Hong Kong, leading the pack for several laps before the car change.

This weekend’s Marrakesh ePrix coincides with the COP22 Summit: a meeting of the world’s leaders on sustainability and climate change. In tandem, DS Virgin Racing will be hosting an Innovation Summit in front of the team garage on 10 November, featuring international panellists discussing EVs and sustainable technology.

“We’ve gone to space, we’ve done biofuel flight and we were the first to go non-stop solo around the world. Virgin is all about making sustainability fast," states Team Principal Alex Tai. 

Pechito and Sam Bird arrive in Marrakesh with a point to prove after Hong Kong. “As far as I’m concerned, this is race one now. Let’s put points on the board,” explains Sam Bird.

Jaguar I-TYPE racecar makes first African appearance at the Moroccan ePrix, the first race on the African Continent.

• Jaguar I-TYPE racecar makes first African appearance at the Moroccan ePrix
• Panasonic Jaguar Racing hoping to build on solid start to the season on its second outing

From sweltering Hong Kong to the labyrinthine souks of Marrakesh – Panasonic Jaguar Racing’s second race in the 2016/17 FIA Formula E Championship will offer a striking contrast thanks to the heady flavours of Morocco, as both the all-electric Jaguar I-TYPE and the series make their first appearances on the African continent on November 12.

The British manufacturer made a solid start to its motorsport return in October, but is hoping to use the lessons learned on the Hong Kong harbour-front street circuit for its second race. Britain’s Adam Carroll finished 12th in a hectic, safety-car interrupted race, while New Zealander Mitch Evans was forced into retirement by a technical issue.

The ‘Race to Innovate’, as Jaguar maintains the ethos created in the 1950s to bring major developments from the race track to the road, continues as the electric single-seater series reaches the final race of this calendar year. Carroll, 33, and Evans, 22, are hungry for a second taste of the 12-round Formula E championship, which concludes in Montreal in July 2017.

What have you and the team been up to since Hong Kong?

James Barclay, Team Director, Panasonic Jaguar Racing “Our first race left us with a lot of data to analyse which has been incredibly helpful for our engineers who have been requesting more information to accelerate our learning as a new team. Running the cars under race conditions was extremely valuable from a development point of view as all the information we can gather is key at this stage. Adam went over to Fuji for a round of the World Endurance Championship while the rest of us flew back to the UK.  Since then we have been undertaking simulation work in preparation for Marrakesh and both drivers have been in fitness training to prepare themselves for the warm conditions we expect the Marrakesh ePrix to serve up.”

The Marrakesh ePrix and Formula E is joining forces with the 22nd session of the Conference of Parties United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Change (COP22).  What do you think about this collaboration?

James Barclay “Panasonic Jaguar Racing is fully supportive of Formula E’s official partnership with COP22 for the inaugural Marrakesh ePrix.  We are Racing to Innovate through our involvement in the series and we are proud to showcase the all-electric I-TYPE racecar.  Jaguar Land Rover is committed to a future electrification strategy and we have some exciting plans to share very shortly.  It is great to be involved as the first premium manufacturer in the series.”

What impressed you most from your first Formula E race?

Adam Carroll, #47 “For me it was how busy the race was. It was elbows out from the first turn and everyone was fighting every second from start to finish. It was amazing racing and I literally can’t wait to do it all again in Marrakesh.”

How much did you have to adjust your driving style?

Mitch Evans, #20 “As always when you’re in a new car, you have to adjust your style a bit to figure out how to get the most out of the car. I’ve been working hard with the team to adapt my driving style to do that, particularly in regard to being efficient with energy management.”

What’s your take on the performance and energy consumption of the I-TYPE?

ME: “The I-TYPE is great to drive; it has incredible torque and is nothing like I’ve ever driven before. Our energy management was very positive in Hong Kong which is very impressive for a new team. There is still some speed to find as the season progresses but that’s part of finding our feet in the championship as a new team and with a new car.  We have a really exciting time ahead of us to see how much we can get out of the car before the season ends.”

How well have you got to know the team so far?

AC: “We had a good chance to bond as a team in Hong Kong so I now know everyone’s favourite Dim-Sum orders! Joking aside, all time spent together as a new team is extremely valuable as the better we know each other the better we will perform in stressful situations, which as a race team we will inevitably have.”