VAN fleets have been given a new incentive to opt for natural gas power.

Transport minister David Jamieson announced a new initiative to stimulate the market at the CV Show at Birmingham's NEC.

The deal will encourage the wider availability of natural gas vehicles by offering demonstration grant funding through the Energy Saving Trust's TransportAction initiative. This should cover part of the cost of introducing new natural gas vehicles.

He said: 'The Government wants to make towns and cities cleaner and quieter places in which to work and live. The wider availability natural gas vehicles will help this.'