FIRMS who want to run environmentally-friendly fleets will get a novel offer from Honda next year. Instead of being asked to buy the three-door hatchback model, fleet operators are to be offered lease-only packages when the EV reaches showrooms in California.

Two-year deals priced at $300 (£200) a month will come with EV, a five- seater which is based on the Civic platform. And similar leasing arrangements look set to be applied when the car eventually reaches European markets. EV gives the equivalent of 100mpg and has a top speed of 50mph. Refuelled overnight, it has a range of 150 miles from nickel cadmium batteries which the company says could be replaced by 'a more advanced form of electricity storage' in Europe.