Mixed-fuel policies

Pros

• More choice for drivers
• Ensures the right fuel type is chosen for the right use
• Potentially more cost-effective
• More environmentally-friendly

Cons

• More complex
• More than one mileage reimbursement rate has to be used
• Potential for drivers to misfuel
• May be harder to reallocate vehicles
• Fuel economy achieved by petrols may be lower than diesels

Case study: The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army switched from a diesel-only policy to petrol (including petrol hybrids) two-and-a-half years ago due to problems with diesel particulate filters (DPFs).

“The nature of our predominately urban usage did not suit diesels with DPFs,” says Peter Bonney, fleet controller at the Salvation Army.

“Understandably, our management was not prepared to have dual benchmarking based on whether or not a driver had access to the open highways in the course of their duties.”

Since introducing the policy, the Toyota Yaris Hybrid has been particularly popular with drivers that are seeking a B-segment car.

“It offers diesel-like economy, automatic transmission and very low BIK,” Bonney says. “The environmental image of the car is good, which gives drivers a feelgood factor about their choice.”

However, he admits that a petrol-only policy does not suit all drivers.

“There is no doubt that the rest of our drivers, for whom a hybrid is not practical and who are taking C segment hatches and crossovers, would want a diesel, given the option.”

Bonney believes that any ‘only’ policy is not necessarily the best one for fleet operators and drivers.

“In an ideal world, every fleet should consider using diesel, petrol, hybrid and, dare I say it, even EV, where it would be the most suitable option,” he says.