UK Fleet industry lacks concern for Environmental issues
30Nov06
Research from leading leasing company ALD Automotive
has shown that only 25% of companies are making any
attempt to analyse ways in which they can cut carbon
emissions. This is in spite of a number of pieces of
legislation that could effect company fleet car
operators. Very few have a green policy or any formal
method of monitoring the damage that their corporate
activities are having on the environment.
A spokesman for fleet industry consultants Fleet Audits
commented that there was a general lack of concern in
the industry about controlling fuel costs. This is very
discouraging because if the industry is not even
concerned about saving money on fuel, what chance is
there that there will be any awareness of environmental
issues. Let alone the implementation of a proper green
policy. Clearly something must be done to encourage a
more positive attitude.
John Bradley, fleet manager of Hampshire Police, is on
record as saying that there is more than enough
information about reducing carbon emissions and that
fleet managers have no excuse for burying their heads in
the sand and claiming otherwise. Mr Bradley added that
this apathy may be caused by other pressures that are
faced by fleet managers. These include the fact that
there is often pressure to offer a wide choice of
vehicles to their company car drivers. Many of these
choose their company car for reasons other than it’s low
emission credentials.
etyres view on this is that the fleet industry should
work closely with the fleet operators to establish a
situation where a green policy is high on the list of
priorities. It is obvious that any company that operates
a large car fleet can, with a single decision, make a
big difference. If this includes reducing mileage by
paying more attention to journey planning. This will
produce financial savings and well as emission
reductions. If careful attention is made to the
operating pressure of the tyres on the fleet cars fuel
savings and emission savings will be made. Alternative
fuels invariably carry lower levels of tax. An
investment in training to promote less aggressive
driving habits will save significant amounts of fuel and
reduce emissions. In short, a robust green policy will
always provide financial savings as well as
environmental ones.
Most businesses continue to provide 'free' fuel to company car drivers for private use
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