AVIS Rent a Car is considering launching a London-based alternatively-fuelled rental fleet which would avoid the congestion charge being introduced next February.

The firm is currently in talks with manufacturers on the service which would provide the cleanest alternatively-fuelled cars. These vehicles receive a 100% discount on the £5 a day charge.

It is one of a number of solutions to the charge being considered by the firm, which has two depots inside the congestion charging zone.

Customers will be offered the chance to buy congestion charging permits when they rent vehicles, but Avis is currently examining the effect of the charge on customers when it is asked to deliver vehicles to fleets within the payment zone.