Follow a tender process the Energy Saving Trust (EST) has agreed a new deal with Ford Rental.

The EST specified that only suppliers with low-emission vehicles would be considered. “We had a requirement for all vehicles rented to us must be low CO2 emissions,” explained EST spokesperson Caroline Rams.

“At the end of this process we received only three responses. Ford Rental was the only supplier to guarantee that low CO2 emissions vehicles would be supplied and with other factors being competitive, they were awarded the business.”

The initial 12-month contract means EST employees will use Ford cars when a rental vehicle is required.

All the vehicles must be in the sub-140g/km category and Ford said they would be made up from its diesel line-up and ECOnetic models.

The EST confirmed that employees will only use a rental car when no alternative is available.

“Daily rental is a tool used when public transport is not feasible," added Rams. "We always prefer business travel to be avoided.

"However, if travel is necessary then public transport is the first choice. If public transport is not operationally feasible, we will opt to rent a fuel efficient car to meet our needs.”