Leading car hire car broker Economy Car Hire has announced the release of a new fleet of eco-friendly hybrid cars across its UK airport locations, allowing customers easy opportunities to reduce their carbon footprint while avoiding congestion charges in the capital.

Economy Car Hire, which features handy all-inclusive rates with no insurance excesses to eliminate the need for damage and theft loss waiver and expensive collision damage, has declared that the launch is the first step in a series of moves to introduce more environmentally friendly vehicles across its European fleet and ultimately beyond.

The Toyota Prius will be offered, pending its safety review by the troubled manufacturer, as well as Honda Civic hybrid vehicles at London Heathrow and London Gatwick airports. All of these models will be exempt from the controversial congestion charge in London and Economy Car Hire is looking at plans to roll-out the vehicles on a global scale through ongoing negotiations with suppliers.

Rory Sexton, Economy’s managing director, confirmed that environmental impact has become a new priority for travellers and that often a driving holiday is the only option available, particularly to families visiting around Britain. To that end the group has been looking for solutions to implement and environmental policy in its car hire management. Sexton also advised that the UK then Europe would be the next targets.

Weekly car hire for a hybrid from Gatwick Airport will run around £240 and comes with Economy’s unlimited mileage, no insurance excess, free extra driver and theft loss waiver bonuses.