Britain’s van fleet operators finally have access to official fuel economy and CO2 emissions figures for light commercial vehicles, allowing them at last to choose vehicles which are greener and more fuel-efficient.

The database, which has been compiled by the Vehicle Certification Agency, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and the Department for Transport, contains average fuel economy and CO2 emissions figures for small, medium and large commercial vehicles under 3.5 tonnes, as well as pick-ups and 4x4s.

Until January 2008, there was no legal obligation for the various van manufacturers to produce either fuel economy or CO2 emissions figures at all. After that date, both figures were required but there was no obligation for manufacturers to publish them.

Since then, there has been a great deal of debate on the subject, not least because fuel economy figures are produced on a rolling road with the vehicles empty, which means that a high roof van will have the same mpg figure as a low-roof one, whereas in real life the figure will be different.

However, Julie Jenner, ACFO chairman, said: “During these difficult times it is beneficial to be able to access the same information for vans that we have for cars. This tool will give fleets the assistance they need to choose the right van. It is something our members have been wanting for some time.”

Martin Larkin, transport manager for SafeStyle UK, added: “This is good news and, quite frankly, about time. This will allow us to choose the best resources to reduce our carbon
footprint.”

The announcement, by new transport secretary Lord Adonis, comes after lobbying from the BVRLA, which back in December launched its own database. 

However, because of the lack of UK data, the BVRLA used
information from Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority. 

The BVRLA has now removed its database from its website.
John Lewis, chief executive of the BVRLA, said: “This long-awaited information will be immensely valuable to fleet operators, helping them to save on fuel costs and reduce their carbon footprint.

It is a shame that we have had to push so hard on behalf of van users over the past 18 months to get it.”

Click here to see the van emissions database.