33% of fleet drivers would use their company car less if public transport were better, according to the 1998 Lex Vehicle Leasing Report on Company Motoring.

'Company car drivers are as environmentally concerned as private motorists,' says the report. 'They want to see us all use public transport more, but they have no alternative to the car at the moment, except for occasional long journeys by train.'

However, the report also revealed that even if public transport were better 92% of company car drivers would find it very difficult to adjust to a car-free lifestyle. In total, company car drivers cover an average of 11,400 miles a year on business, but only 7,200 private miles, fewer than private motorists' average annual tally of 7,800, although this conflicts with the Government's National Travel Survey which found that company car drivers drive a disproportionately high number of private miles.

The Lex survey also reveals that where a company car is essential for an employee's job, the annual business mileage rises to 14,000, compared to just 6,000 miles for staff who find their company car 'helpful' for their job. Even so-called perk-car drivers cover an average of 3,000 business miles a year - evidence perhaps of employees making sure they qualify for the first benefit-in-kind tax break at 2,500 business miles.