A diesel dilemma is gripping UK fleets as they face critical choices about their future fuel strategy.

Heavy oil has been the mainstay of the business car and van market for decades, but the past few years have seen a rapid shift in the political and business environment.

For the average fleet, vehicle acquisitions made today will still be in use in 2022 for cars and as far as 2025 for vans, well past the date predicted for major changes in fuel use and legislation.

However, talk of diesel’s demise as the dominant fuel for the fleet sector is premature, according to industry experts, despite the Government announcement of a ban on conventional fuels in 2040.

Diesel’s strong performance in a business environment and innovations to cut emissions mean the message from experts is: ‘Don’t discount diesel just yet.’

The fuel accounts for more than 80% of the vehicles used by company car drivers, and still makes up almost half of all UK new car sales. 

The UK boss of Jaguar Land Rover, which is exhibiting at Fleet Management LIVE, has warned improvements in air quality could be delayed if the diesel debate continues to be dominated by misinformation. Jeremy Hicks feels diesel cars are being unfairly targeted and said recently: “What we’ve had so far hasn’t been so much of a debate, as a diatribe or, at best, a monologue.

“The impression being given is the way to improve air quality in cities is to ban diesel cars, but it’s not quite that simple. There has been a seismic shift in diesel technology almost eliminating NOx .”

Jaguar Land Rover will be one of a range of manufacturers attending Fleet Management LIVE to offer advice and guidance on fuel choices.

Other manufacturers include BMW, Honda, Infiniti, Lexus, Mini, Nissan, Seat, Toyota, Vauxhall and Volvo.

In addition to advice and information about diesel, they will also be able to brief fleets on the shift to alternative fuels, ranging from the latest petrol models to hybrids and plug-in vehicles. 

Plug-ins have established a record market share during 2017, with corporate buyers leading the way.

The manufacturers at the show account for the vast majority of alternatively-fuelled vehicles sold.

For details of exhibitors visit the website at www.fleetmanagement-live.co.uk or call 01733 468325.

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