FLEET managers believe they are doing enough to cut costs without joining schemes such as the Motorvate project. The verdict was revealed at an Eastern region meeting of the Association of Car Fleet Operators.

Motorvate was launched in June 2000 with the aim to cut fleet carbon dioxide emissions by 12% over three years, a quarter of which must be achieved through mileage cuts, but the Government-backed initiative has to date recruited just 15 members. Scheme organisers gave a presentation to the ACFO regional meeting in November, but none of the members at last week's meeting had joined the scheme.

Eastern region secretary Stephen Hewett, sales manager of European Corporate Imports, Biggleswade, said: 'Fleet managers are always trying to improve fuel economy and keep costs down. Motorvate provided us with an interesting set of facts and everyone listened, but I don't think anyone considered putting them into practice.' David Sheldon, transport manager at Cambridgeshire County Council, suggested the scheme might be more successful if the Motorvate consultants were paid a percentage of the savings made, rather than an up-front £500-£1,000.

Chairman Julie Jenner, fleet manager at Nokia UK, said: 'Fleet operators aren't interested in paying money up-front, although Motorvate is willing to send in consultants for a few days for free. But how are they promoting their product? We had heard of the scheme, but none of us had received anything from Motorvate to persuade us to join.'