Prioritising your approach

When assessing a fleet's environmental credentials it is best to start with the vehicles themselves. If, however, the vehicles being operated are already cleaner technology vehicles, your efforts can be diverted to the drivers or the journey.

The chart below (which is based on the graduated VED CO2 scales) provides a guide to the 'greenness' of your fleet by considering the average vehicle CO2 emission levels. The average CO2 emissions for new cars in 2009 was 149.8 g/km, which is the most up to date data available, and therefore any fleet should really target to be below this level. Best of breed fleets would expect to have an average fleet CO2 emissions level around 130 to 140g/km.

If the average fleet CO2 falls in bands D and G or below, spend most effort looking at the actual journeys and driver performance and re-evaluating the actual need for travel in the first place.

In this situation the driver is key to achieving any significant environmental improvements and must be encouraged and motivated to assist in meeting your company's green objectives.

There are some quick wins that can be looked at, such as fuel monitoring and management. Fuel is often the area where the largest savings can be realised almost immediately. Fuel is typically the second largest vehicle cost following depreciation, and represents between a quarter and a third of a vehicle's overall running costs. The Lex Autolease 'Managing the Provision of Fuel' guide provides assistance on optimising fleet fuel policies and monitoring fuel consumption and cost.

Focusing on getting cleaner vehicles onto the fleet via an effective allocation system will, however, be a longer term strategy.

The hardest area to bring about change is often the grey fleet, and hence it is usually left neglected for this very reason. However the grey fleet must be properly managed and have robust policies and procedures, just as the company car fleet will have. Typically there will be little in the way of cost saving available from the grey fleet by taking an environmental view, however the rewards of lowering vehicle emissions and reducing the company's exposure under Health and Safety and Duty of Care will be substantial. From an environmental perspective the grey fleet should be a priority and not left as an afterthought.

Fuel economy figures