The Green (Fleet) Agenda The Green (Fleet) Agenda

A green fleet needs more than just a few "alternative fuel" cars or vans. These have a place, but to meet wider corporate objectives and to make a real difference, a more far-reaching strategy is needed. "Green" needs to be at the heart of the policy, not just an add-on.

There are wider corporate issues too. Many companies have grasped the importance of a strong Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) approach to business. Reporting on HR policies, recycling, trading and other areas of the core business, against targets for continuous improvement, is now commonplace. More recently, the overall commitments to Health & Safety standards has spread to many corporate fleets, with big improvements in the management of on-road risks. Total environmental policy is an important part of CSR - and for most organisations that has to include the on-road activities of business travel as well as office and factory performance.

The policy must be thought through carefully, to ensure that the fleet maximises the cost reduction potential, while still fulfilling its core range of jobs moving employees to interface with clients. It really does need careful consideration, with input from the relevant parts of the business, but the objective must be clear: to design a fleet policy that will meet the needs of the business at a reasonable cost; provide clean and efficient vehicles; and produce the lowest practical amount of CO2 through good fuel economy.

That way, costs are reduced, driver tax is reduced, and the impact of the fleet - and therefore the business - is reduced. It really is a win/win situation.

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