THE pressure on fleet managers to keep tight control on fuel expenditure has dramatically increased in the light of fresh price rises by fuel companies and continuing pressure from Government, which has warned firms they face having to find an extra £465 million this year to stay 'on the move'. Increases due to taxation and the rising cost of crude oil have made prices in the UK the highest in Europe.

Calculations by PHH Vehicle Management show that, in the UK, the annual cost of running a car returning 32mpg on unleaded fuel covering 18,000 miles a year will have increased £182.32 since January due to taxation and pump price increases. The increased cost for a single diesel car returning the same mpg and over the same mileage is £188.62.

Now fleet managers are being urged to take action if the Government is to be persuaded to stop using 'sledge hammer' tactics through taxation to bring about greater vehicle operating efficiency and protection of the environment. Stewart Whyte, of the Association of Car Fleet Operators, said: 'My advice to those who choose to ignore the need to look at fuel consumption is 'get real'. However rich your company is and however much it upsets your drivers to start monitoring fuel consumption, action must be taken at some time. The sooner we start working together and begin meeting successive governments' aspirations, the lighter the pressure will be.'