Enterprise Rent-A-Car is now offering electric vehicles to U.K. customers for the first time. In addition, Enterprise is the first U.K. rental company to provide the Chevrolet Volt, the 2012 European Car of the Year.

According to Enterprise, it will have 20 Chevrolet Volts based across its Greater London branches with plug-in recharging facilities.

“We looked at many different options before deciding on the Volt as the first extended range electric car we’d offer to our customers,” says Mike Nigro, UK & Ireland managing director at Enterprise Rent-A-Car. “It offers an ideal blend of technological innovation and ease of use, with the petrol engine providing the extended range rental drivers often need and making the vehicle simple to refuel.”

“We are delighted to be able to supply the Chevrolet Volt to Enterprise,” says Gavin Cook, national sales manager, rental, for Chevrolet UK. “The Volt is the ideal car for Enterprise, as it doesn't have the range anxiety associated with other electric vehicles. Daily rental is a great way for people to initially experience the Volt; learn how well it drives and how conventional it is in daily use. ...”

“Our customers in the London area, both businesses and private individuals, will now be able to try out the Volt and get to grips with the electric driving experience themselves. We’re also looking at extending this pilot program to other U.K. regions if it works out,” adds Nigro.