FUEL station forecourt support firm Gilbarco has ordered 220 vans in a major contract hire deal with Lex Vehicle Leasing.

The contract will cover 190 Vauxhall Vivaro SWB 1.9 DTi models and 30 Movano panel vans and was signed after employees put a range of rival vehicles through their paces.

The company, part of the Danaher Corporation, provides fuel control, site management services and support services to petrol forecourts.

Graham Oliver, director of distribution and logistics at Gilbarco, said: 'Our drivers tested three vans with a typical load (650kg) in a variety of urban, motorway and country driving conditions for fuel economy and quality of drive. The Vivaro came top on all counts.'

The vans will be under a two-year/60,000 mile contract with a third year option.