Data collection company IMServ has taken on a fleet of 51 Kia Picanto 3 models for its site agents.

The company had previously used vans for its meter reading visits, but analysis by IMServ's leasing company, Hitachi, identified the city car as the best vehicle for this role.

This was based on four factors: cost saving, environmental concerns, safety and comfort. The Picanto also gives IMServ significant rental savings and lower CO2 emissions.

Kate Whitehouse, business support, environment, health, safety and sustainability manager at IMServ, said: “We were looking for an alternative vehicle for our site visit agents - meter readers - as a van isn’t really necessary for the small amount of kit they need to carry with them. Wanting to reduce our diesel fleet was an important factor.

“We were looking for a vehicle which was not only an ergonomically comfortable drive, but one with all the safety and comfort features IMServ requires.

"The Picanto stood out as the one which met all the requirements and testing the cars both at head office and in the field resulted in a unanimous decision being made.

"Now that we have seen the end product, including livery and Chapter 8, we are excited to see the cars roll out to represent IMServ.”

The Picantos have had their liveries applied by Stafford based company Bri-stor, and will carry out a high visibility role for IMServ’s key agents when they are out taking meter readings throughout the UK.