FLEET operators are being asked to participate in new research into the environmental impact of the company car. Conducted by social and environmental charity the Ashden Trust, the project has the backing of London First and will examine some of the most widely held assumptions about company cars.

The Trust wants to establish whether company car drivers:

The research will address questions about the effect of the current company car taxation system, mileage bands, free fuel and free parking, purchasing strategies, driver choice and maintenance and also explore the alternatives to the company car.

To answer these questions, the Trust wants to interview fleet managers and company car drivers and would also welcome views and suggestions about how the current system could be improved. Views should be sent to Jane Shepherd, The Ashden Trust, 9 Red Lion Court, London EC4 3EB.