The electric NV200 is currently being trialled by British Gas, having undergone a similar trial with delivery firm FedEx in London, and is also being tested by the Japan Post Service in Yokohama. Nissan will have a working prototype as a static display on their stand, allowing visitors to look around the next addition to the carmaker’s electric range.

It joins several premieres at the Show, next Wednesday, April 18, including some that will be available for driving for the first time anywhere in the UK.

These include the new Peugeot 208 supermini, which has one petrol and three diesel engines under the 99g/km mark and goes on sale in June, and the Peugeot 508 RXH with its latest ground breaking diesel-electric HYbrid4 technology.  

Citroën fans will be able to drive the new 200bhp DS5 Hybrid4, the world’s first hybrid diesel, boasting fuel consumption of 74.3mpg and CO2 emissions of just 99g/km, for the first time.

And in another first, Renault is providing the new Twizy electric quadricycle, which has recently been added to the fleet at telecoms giant, Orange, in France, for driving around the world-famous circuit.

The new launches join ultra-low carbon offerings from a host of other manufacturers, including BMW, Infiniti, Lexus Toyota and Vauxhall, who will have their latest low emission and electric vehicles on offer.

Commercial vehicles available for driving include the new Edison and Newton models from Smith Electric Vehicles, plus Renault’s 100% electric Kangoo Van Z.E.

The recharging industry will also be there in force with major players, including ABB, Ecar Connectors, ENSTO, Siemens, Schneider and Rolec Services, taking space in the event’s indoor exhibition area in order to explain to fleet managers how they can provide the optimum on-site recharging solution for electric vehicles.

Ross Durkin, managing editor of organisers, Fleet World, said: 'Registration numbers for the Show are already well over expected levels, while nearly all visitors have booked to attend at least one of the seminars in our seminar programme.

'Last month’s Budget confirmed the importance for fleets of embracing the latest low-emission technologies and this has given the EV & Low CO2 Fleet Show even greater significance in the market.

'Some commentators suggested that the tax changes announced might adversely affect the market for EVs, but anyone who sat in a queue for diesel last week must have been asking themselves if the benefits of being able to recharge a vehicle at home overnight might start to outweigh some of the costs.

'We’ve got some really important first drives at the show, together with some superb seminar presentations and a whole raft of fleet experts who can provide advice and guidance on some of the burning issues affecting fleet operators.

'Our objective from the very start was to provide fleet managers with the justification for taking a whole day out of their offices and I think we have done that,' he added.

The EV & Low CO2 Fleet Show is free to fleet operators and is being sponsored by the Energy Saving Trust in association with the British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association, the trade association of the UK’s leasing and rental industries.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to hear the latest thinking on a range of fleet topics in a morning-long series of fleet seminars from a team of highly respected presenters including the EST, the Climate Group, Cardiff University, Element Energy and Wilmott Dixon.

After lunch there will also be a Question Time-style panel discussion, sponsored by Venson Automotive Solutions and chaired by John Lewis, Chief Executive of the BVRLA, at whichvisitors can get answers to any questions that arose while listening to the earlier seminar programme, test-driving vehicles or exploring the exhibition.

The panel of experts will feature:

• Rob Anderson, programme and communications manager, Cenex
• Chas Ball, chief executive, Car Plus
• Richard Bruce, managing director, Office for low Emission Vehicles
• Alan McCleave, business development director, Venson
• Justin Shaw, Fleet Director, Europcar

'Fleets will be a vital market for ultra-low carbon cars and vans – but these vehicles are not right for everyone. I hope this panel will be able to tell the audience where this technology can and can’t make a difference,' said John Lewis.

The show will be based in the new state-of-the-art Silverstone Wing conference and event facility, situated in the heart of the Grand Prix Circuit, and boasting two exhibition halls, a conference hall, banqueting facilities and the latest technical and AV equipment.

All test-driving of electric, hybrid and other low-CO2 vehicles will include two or three laps of the Stowe Circuit, a separate infield circuit with its own facilities, and visitors will be able to book provisional test drives in advance directly with the relevant motor manufacturer.