Running until August 2021, the UK-wide framework is broken down into six lots covering everything from contract hire to vehicle telematics and from fleet management services to fuel cards.

Two of the shortlisted suppliers are local Scottish companies, namely ACL Hire Ltd, based in Bathgate, and Tom Vehicle Rental, based in Airdrie, with ACL Hire Ltd being top ranked for short term contract hire and daily rental services.

Over its four year lifetime, the framework is expected to generate contracts with a cumulative value in the region of £50 million, including an estimated £5m in Scotland.

The announcement follows a recent commitment by the Scottish Government to phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles in Scotland by 2032.

Commenting on the framework, PfH Scotland head of operations, Stephen Herriot, said: “This dedicated framework has been specifically designed to meet the vehicle fleet needs of the social housing sector. With the Scottish Government having made a commitment to phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles in Scotland by 2032, these are interesting times for vehicle fleet managers.

“Following this announcement, there is bound to be an expectation that organisations in sectors such as social housing will take a lead in modernising their vehicle fleets to support the transition to a low carbon future. This new framework will give fleet managers in Scotland’s social housing sector easier and cost-effective access to the tools and services they will need to be able to do just that.”