A SOUTH London-based photographic processing firm has switched its fleet of vehicles to Vauxhall DualFuel models to avoid the London congestion charge. The move will save more than £7,000 a year in tolls.

MaxiFoto, of Streatham, has ordered six Combo 1.6-litre LPG-powered vans, which qualify for a 100% discount from the £5 a day congestion charge. Five vehicles are being funded through contract hire by Vauxhall Leasing, with the remaining vehicle bought outright.

MaxiFoto operates a fleet of photographic delivery and collection vehicles primarily within the congestion charging zone and calculates that along with savings of about £7,500 a year on congestion charges, further savings will come from the use of the cheaper fuel.

Managing director Rajnikant Naik, said: 'The vans are already proving popular as they are faster than our previous diesel vans and, of course, they are much cheaper to run.'