The 2013 Energy Saving Trust Fleet Hero Awards has been launched as the search begins to find England’s green fleet champions. This year’s awards introduce a new Plugged-in Fleets award category, sponsored by EDF Energy, that recognises the successful adoption of plugged-in vehicles within an organisation’s fleet.

Established in 2006, the Fleet Hero Awards celebrate organisations that are achieving environmental best practice by implementing innovative solutions to reduce carbon emissions and operate efficient and environmentally friendly fleets. The awards also recognise companies that supply cost and fuel saving products or services to fleets and vehicle operators.

The awards are open to public and private sector organisations based in England, and last year attracted more than 110 entries.

Over the last seven years, the Energy Saving Trust has received hundreds of entries from all industry sectors.

Previous winners include Ford Motor Company, Commercial Group, Northamptonshire Police Force, HMRC, Lake District National Park Authority, and Addison Lee.

Last year’s award ceremony was attended by Norman Baker MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, along with other prominent business leaders and government representatives.

Philip Sellwood, chief executive of the Energy Saving Trust, said: "Over the last seven years of these awards, we have seen a nine per cent decrease in total greenhouse gas emissions from domestic transport in the UK. At the same time, there has been a massive increase in sustainable thinking and practices within the transport industry, as well as increasingly innovative approaches to well-known environmental issues. 

“We are inviting applications from organisations of all sizes and across all sectors operating fleets in England to help showcase the industry’s commitment to reducing emissions. 

“This year we have introduced a new Plugged-in Fleets award category to recognise organisations that have effectively introduced plug-in vehicles into their fleets. This follows the hugely successful Plugged-in Fleets Initiative and increased adoption of electric vehicles within business fleets.” 

The 13 categories are: Best Public Sector Fleet; Best Private Sector Fleet; Plugged-in Fleets Award; Grey Fleet Management; Business Mileage Management;  Smarter Driving Award; Industry Supplier Award;  Transport Solutions Supplier of the Year; Innovation in Car & Van Manufacturing; Innovation in Fleet Services and Systems; Innovation in Fleet Management; Leadership Award; and Commercial Vehicle Management (including HGVs).

Application forms and criteria for entry can be found on the Energy Saving Trust website.

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