Demand for satellite navigation systems as optional extras is continuing to grow.

Research from a major leasing company has shown that demand has increased by 50% during the first quarter of the year, compared with the same period last year.

Over the past four years demand has grown by 155%, figures produced by LeasePlan show.

In a survey of more than 129,000 drivers, the company identified how many drivers had asked for sat-navs as an integrated optional extra to their company cars.

Bosses believe company motorists are using the systems due to pressures to make the most of their time.

Managing director David Brennan said: “This research backs up a trend we’ve been seeing among our customers for many months now – that sat-nav has become a key business tool for a nation of company car drivers.”

The company notes that many new cars now come equipped with integrated sat-nav either as standard or as an optional extra, “showing the realisation from the motor industry that the devices are becoming less of a perk and more of a must have for many drivers”.