Under the deal, which was arranged with support from Toyota Financial Services, the Midlands-based company has chosen Auris Hybrid Touring Sports cars for its national sales teams to deliver excellent load carrying along with low emissions and strong fuel economy.

Tim Stanley, M Barnwell Services’ financial controller, said: ‘We are looking at all aspects of our business to find ways of reducing our carbon footprint and complying with the ISO 14001 standard for environmental management. Our vehicle fleet is a significant factor in this and we can see the real benefits to be gained from making the switch from diesel to hybrid power.

‘The Toyota Auris Hybrid Touring Sports meets our requirements in terms of cleaner performance, but also in providing the space, quality and reliability our sales teams require for their work right across the country.’