Total FM provider OCS has introduced nearly 200 new company cars, with plans for another 100 by the end of 2012, from its new fleet partner Volkswagen in an effort to further reduce its carbon emissions.

The move follows a review of the company and commercial car fleet by OCS Group UK Fleet and Procurement which identified a major opportunity to drastically reduce carbon output and costs for the 10.4 million miles driven by the fleet every year.

More than 170 vehicles have been delivered to staff already and the benefits are already clear: CO2 emissions are averaging 112kg on the Volkswagens in comparison to 130kg on the old fleet. OCS has also made a cost saving of over £145,620 for the new contract period.

OCS’s 1,600-strong commercial van fleet has also been reviewed and 330 of the oldest vehicles are being replaced by the Volkswagen Caddy, Volkswagen Transporter and Mercedes Sprinter.

OCS says they will improve fuel efficiency on average by 35% and reduce carbon output by 857 tonnes per annum this year alone. This will increase to 2,500 tonnes when the business replaces the remainder of the fleet.

The new Volkswagen range is fitted with BlueMotion technology, which focuses on improving the engine, transmission and reduced rolling distance.

Changes in the new range include start-stop technology, which halts and restarts the engine when the car is stationary, and lowered suspensions which give the vehicles less drag, both of which produce better fuel consumption.

OCS fleet manager Alan Leightley said: “Volkswagen has a great range of vehicles for us to choose from and, with the newest technology on the market, we can make better cost savings, reduce our fuel consumption and improve our carbon footprint, with the added benefit to the drivers of reducing their tax liability.”