Caravan Insurance

Rental firm Avis has said that the proportion of diesel cars in its fleet has grown in the last year, Car Keys has reported.

Figures released by the firm claimed that diesels now accounts for 18 per cent of the Avis fleet, up from 11 per cent 12 months ago. It expects 20 per cent of the 18,500 unit fleet to be diesel by December of this year.

Growth in the sector was put down to several factors, such as corporate diesel rental policies for fleets, increased acceptance amongst drivers and fleet managers, and an increase in the number of diesel vehicles offered by carmakers thanks to increased demand within the used car market.

Stuart Gent, Avis managing director said: "We are working with more companies to set up structured rental policies that look at reducing cost and improving fleet efficiencies. We recommend diesel where drivers are travelling long distances or using larger cars such as MPVs.

"Based on these recommendations, more companies are looking to reduce their overall rental fuel costs, and we have had to increase our diesel fleet accordingly."

Avis added that it had begun an education project to make motorists aware of what fuel they are using when they fill the tank.