Stop-start systems will be the next big thing for fleets as manufacturers continue to produce cleaner cars.

But fleets will need to be careful what vehicle they choose from the many stop-start systems now on offer, said Martin Ward, manufacturer relationship manager at CAP.

“There are good stop-starts and bad stop-starts,” he said at the Fleet News Green Summit. “A good one is the Mazda i-stop, but the Audi StartStop and Hyundai Blue Drive are also very good.”

However, he said some systems needed further development including the Mercedes-Benz E Class.

The German manufacturer has confirmed it is already developing a new system.

The emergence of stop-start will be welcome news to an increasing number of fleets who are embracing green transport plans - up from 22% in 2007 to 35% in 2009 according to research from PricewaterhouseCoopers.

More businesses are setting CO2 limits on their car choice lists, with average fleet emissions now down below 160g/km, explained Gary Hull, director of employment solutions at PricewaterhouseCoopers.