FLEET managers must take action now to meet the Government's desire for lean and green company vehicle operations, according to James Langley, client development manager of PHH Vehicle Management and an Institute fellow. 'Do something now. There is no fortune to be made, but there is a fortune to be saved,' he urged fleet managers at the recent Institute of Car Fleet Management conference.

He stressed that within 'befuddled soundbites' and despite 'a lack of clear information' from central Government 'we can foresee almost exactly what the future will look like' for fleet managers and company car drivers. But he urged the Government to stop playing a game and: 'Tell us about these changes so fleet managers can plan accordingly'.

'The Government, through both a carrot and stick approach, is focusing our minds on selecting cleaner cars and encouraging their wiser use. A mindset change has got to take place similar to that which has taken place with drink-driving in recent years,' he said. ICFM council member Roger Glenwright said: 'Vehicles being bought today will be taxed under a new system and could be penalised. We need help now.'

A combination of international legislation - the Kyoto commitment and European Commission standards - and UK initiatives through the Government's Cleaner Vehicles Task Force, the Government's own tax strategy and local authority policies had set the scene for change, said Langley, chairman of the CVTF's fleet policy and purchasing sub-group.