FLEETS will have the choice of another petrol-electric hybrid vehicle in the UK from next spring after Honda announced it will be importing its new Civic Hybrid.

Developing the technology used in the Honda Insight, the Civic Hybrid uses an electric motor along with a 1.3-litre i-DSI petrol engine to deliver high fuel economy and low emissions.

It will be built in Japan and available only as a four-door saloon. The UK allocation is expected to be about 1,000 units a year.

Honda general manager David Strangeway said: 'We felt that British customers should be among the first to have access to the Civic Hybrid, just as they did with the Insight.

'The Insight has done a tremendous job in drawing attention to the integrated motor assist (IMA) concept and shows that environmentally-friendly motoring can be both affordable and fun.

'We have always recognised that this two seater coupe is not the most practical configuration to suit most people's needs, so the introduction of a five-seater Civic Hybrid is a logical progression.'