Hi-tech Peugeot 106 cars are powered by electricity generated by an innovative combined heat and power system at the national mapping agency's head office at Maybush, Southampton.

The double boost to its green initiatives puts Ordnance Survey in pole position ahead of many other government departments. The cars - available to staff in Southampton and London group offices as business loan vehicles - are ideal for short trips, achieving a maximum distance of 150km at 50km per hour, down to 90km at 90km per hour. The motor acts as a generator when travelling downhill or slowing down, and does not use any energy when the vehicles are at a standstill. This is particularly economical for city driving, where slowing down and stopping are frequent, and there is little noise either as the cars are almost silent. The major environmental saving is that they do not produce toxic emissions. Powering the cars is the recently-installed CHP unit at Ordnance Survey's head office in Southampton. Generating thermal and electrical energy in a single process, it typically converts between 80 and 90 per cent of energy from the gas-fired generator into electrical power and useful heat. As well as providing electricity to heat and light the entire head office complex which houses 1,300 employees, the CHP currently allows the two cars to be recharged from excess electricity produced at night.

In approximately five years Ordnance Survey estimates it will save £1.2m on its gas and electricity - the same amount as the CHP system cost to install. The driving force behind these initiatives is Ordnance Survey's Environmental Management System.

Director general and chief executive Vanessa Lawrence signed the latest version of Ordnance Survey's environmental policy which endorses its green viewpoint. The policy outlines a commitment to preventing pollution through emissions and waste disposal, building on the recycling and waste reduction initiatives already in place throughout its departments. Vanessa Lawrence said: "Producing our own electricity brings us in line with government initiatives to reduce carbon emissions, as well as saving costs. And now our eco-friendly cars are just one more way that we can do our bit to help the environment. The fact that the cars are powered from surplus energy from the combined heat and power unit is a double boost.''