MOST public sector fleet managers could be wasting money through failing to introduce policies for cutting fuel use, according to a new survey. And nearly half say they would not consider alternative fuels such as liquefied petroleum gas, despite potential cost savings and environmental benefits.

An audience mainly made up of public sector fleet managers and transport officers took part in an interactive poll at the second Agenda for Action conference, organised by First National Vehicle Contracts.

The results also showed that 28% had not taken any steps to guard against the effects of a future fuel crisis, 54% did not have a fleet environmental policy and 76% had no accident reduction policy.

But more than two-thirds thought the Government should support company cars as the most efficient vehicles on the road.

The survey also showed that 48% would not consider changing to LPG or alternative fuels. Jonathan Murray, head of transport at the Energy Saving Trust, said more education was needed about the possible benefits of alternative fuels: 'An LPG car such as a Vauxhall Vectra can be expected to make a saving in fuel costs of £500 every 10,000 miles.

If you apply the £500 every 10,000 miles per vehicle saving across a fleet of 400, it works out at £800,000.'

He added that although predicted residual value figures for the LPG Vectra provided by CAP Motor Research showed it did not fetch as much as a standard petrol Vectra after three years/60,000 miles, it would have been more than offset by the fuel saving.