GOVERNMENT calls for companies to adopt alternative fuels have failed to convince fleets of their aims six months after the launch of the white paper on integrated transport, according to a new survey conducted by Zenith Vehicle Contracts. Despite growing evidence that fleets could face swingeing charges for non-residential workplace parking and congestion charging, a massive 75% of fleet managers questioned by the company, covering a car parc of more than 8,500 vehicles, said they did not see their fleet polices being affected significantly by the measures outlined.

Eighty-one per cent said they did not think it would affect them at all, or not much, while only 6% said it would affect them a lot. A further 6% were unsure. However, demands for fleets to consider switching to alternative fuels are beginning to have an effect, with 57% considering the benefits of taking on liquefied petroleum gas vehicles.

The jump from raising awareness to actually committing to a green fleet is significant, with none of those interviewed actually having alternative fuelled vehicles. Fleet managers were questioned before the Budget's 29% cut in duty on gaseous fuels. Uncertain running costs and availability were listed as reasons for not making the switch. Others included the initial purchase cost of the car, taxation and actual proof of environmental friendliness.