The Crown Commercial Service has launched a new vehicle hire agreement, which is expected to save Government departments up to £19m.

The new three-year agreement covers a car-sharing option, international vehicle hire and will give access to electric and ultra-low emission vehicles.

The Crown Commercial Service is a public sector organisation, which acts on behalf of the Government to save the taxpayer money through procurement efficiencies.

Its procurement arrangements can be used by public sector organisations including those in local Government, health, education, not-for-profit and devolved administration arenas, as well as by central Government.

Government departments are required to use vehicles through the agreement, but other public sector organisations can choose whether to use the agreement or form different arrangements.

The Government claimed that the car-sharing option - which is supplied by Avis Budget, Co-Wheels Car Club, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Europcar and Hertz - could save 20-30% in mileage.

The new agreement covers 12 suppliers, six of which are new to the CCS agreement.

The 12 suppliers are:

Arnold Clark