THE first fully-electric van produced entirely in-house by a vehicle manufacturer, the Renault Kangoo Van Z. E., has been voted International Van of the Year 2012.

The model, which goes on sale next week, is the first of four electric vehicles due to be launched by the French manufacturer in the next 10 months.

This is the first time an electric vehicle has won the prestigious prize, decided by a jury of 22 European journalists specialising in light commercial vehicles.

And in landing the accolade the Kangoo beat off competition from a string of conventional rivals like the Iveco Daily, Fiat Ducato and Volkswagen Caddy.

With 104 points out of a possible 168, the Kangoo was chosen for its zero emission virtues as well as for its economical and practical qualities.

Jury chairman Pieter Wieman said: "With the Kangoo Van Z. E., Renault brings the electric van within the reach of the normal European van user, delivering a major contribution to environmental sustainability, one of the most important issues of the transport of goods by road nowadays."

By fitting the battery under the Z. E.'s floor, Renault has kept the same load capacity and dimensions as the internal-combustion version.

The Kangoo Van Z.E. costs from £16,990 excluding VAT and comes in two lengths and three versions with the flexibility to carry goods and passengers.

The battery is hired for a monthly fee with a variety of mileage and duration permutations.  For example, a three-year/12,000 miles per annum contract is £74 per month excluding VAT.