ALTERNATIVELY fuelled vehicles are still struggling to gain a foothold in the fleet market, despite high-profile Government-backed campaigns. A new report from the Centre for Automotive Industries Management at Nottingham Business School, backed by HSBC Vehicle Finance (UK), reveals that 88% of fleets questioned did not offer fuel options to their drivers, although availability differed according to the size of the fleet.

Fleets of more than 1,000 vehicles were the most open to change, with 56% offering a fuel choice, while small fleets were the worst, with between 8% and 12% offering alternatives. Interviews with fleet bosses raised a range of concerns, from one decision-maker who said the liquefied petroleum gas refuelling network was still too small, to the poor fuel consumption of LPG vehicles compared to diesel.

The report said: 'As with other past innovations, there will be a period of uncertainty while both fleet professionals, organisations and drivers consider the merits and demerits of the alternatives before making any firm decisions. The business car driver is an important link in the cost-effective use of alternative fuels, although there might be reluctance in offering them fuel options.'