The chief executive of Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) has taken delivery of six new Vauxhall Ampera electric range-extended vehicles (E-REV).

As well as being introduced to SSE's company car scheme, the revolutionary Amperas will also be included in the pool car fleet at various sites across the UK.

CEO Ian Marchant received the new Ampera Positiv - Scotland's first Ampera in a corporate fleet - from Mike Lauriello, corporate relationship manager at Lex Autolease. The six Amperas are being leased via Lex Autolease.

"I'm really excited to take delivery of the new Ampera," said Marchant. "We are proud to be the first major fleet, and the first utility company, to put an electric car on to our company car policy.

"As the UK's largest generator of electricity from renewable sources, we take our commitment to the environment very seriously. We are running the Ampera in our fleet as an electric vehicle that is usable every day and can cope with business needs."

In addition to the pool cars, SSE group fleet manager, Paul Groundwell, has also specified an Ampera Electron as his company vehicle. An Ampera will also be going on display at the Scottish Hydro Centre for Renewable Excellence in Glasgow.

Scottish Hydro, part of the SSE Group, is using the exhibitions at the centre to educate the public about renewable energy and has created an ‘Electric Car Garage' where electric cars are available for free test drives.

Lex Autolease manages around 7,500 of SSE's fleet of vehicles, which includes providing advice on vehicle selection and fleet best practice as well as financing.

Mike Lauriello, corporate business development director at Lex Autolease added: "We are pleased to be working with SSE as an early adopter in bringing the Ampera onto its company car policy and will continue to work in partnership to ensure electric vehicles commercially sustainable for fleets in the long-term.

"The Vauxhall Ampera offers a clear choice for businesses wanting to bring electric vehicle technology into their fleets, as it provides significant environmental benefits with none of the compromises on range, safety or performance associated with battery-only electric vehicles."

James Taylor, Vauxhall fleet sales director, said: "We are delighted that SSE has put the ground-breaking Ampera onto its car policy and are confident that other fleets will follow in choosing this ground-breaking electric vehicle to help them reduce their emissions and running costs without compromising on day-to-day usability."

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