Scottish Government Officials are to begin traveling in luxury Lexus sedans.

Two Lexus hybrid models are being tested under 1 month experiment with the Scottland's government car service, officials said.

The cars, both Lexus 450H hybrid models, use electric power at low speeds and gasoline power at higher speeds.

They will be utilized by "a variety of ministers and drivers" during the experiment, said a source.

A spokesman said: "If we decided to buy any of these vehicles, which may not be new, these would replace less environmentally friendly vehicles.

"If we decide to purchase Lexus, the intention would be to have no overall increase in the running costs of the car service."