Rental giant Enterprise has begun offering plug-in vehicles for the first time.
The firm has added 20 Chevrolet Volts to its branches across Greater London, which are kitted out with charging points.
Although plug-in car rental will initially be confined to the capital, the firm said it was considering rolling out the vehicles to other areas of the country.
Managing director Mike Nigro said: “We looked at many different options before deciding on the Volt as the first electric car we’d offer.
“It offers an ideal blend of technological innovation and ease of use, with the petrol engine providing the extended range rental drivers often need and making the vehicle simple to refuel.
“We’re also looking at extending this pilot programme to other UK regions if it works out.”
While this is the first time Enterprise has officially offered electric vehicles as hire cars to customers, the company has dabbled with electric vehicles before. It trialled a series of Peugeot Ions, which were used as pick-up and delivery vehicles by staff.
The move also comes little more than a month after the announcement that Chevrolet is due to cease trading in Europe by the end of 2015, according to its parent company General Motors.