RADICAL proposals obliging companies to show a 'green grade' for their fleet operations in their statutory accounts could be ordered by the Government. The move could dramatically alter the company perception of a fleet manager's role as a poor performance will have a direct impact on the company's image with shareholders and the public.

Fleet NewsNet has learned that the Cleaner Vehicles Task Force is considering recommending use of the grade in its final report to the Government, which is expected to be published in June. Although the plan is not believed to have made it to the final recommendation, it is understood that a 'more fulsome and formal application' for its use will be made soon.

Once the ground-breaking Greener Vehicle Certification Scheme is launched to fleets, it could be used as the basis for formulating the calculation for a green grade to be used in company accounts. Each year, fleet managers would use a formula, yet to be created, to combine the emissions, fuel economy and total mileage of their fleet to provide a grading.

A source close to the sub-group which came up with the grade plan told Fleet NewsNet: 'Such a scheme would put fleet managers in the spotlight and make them take action on their fleets. Not only would they need to take action to acquire more fuel-efficient, less polluting vehicles, but they would also have to seriously look at ways to tackle fleet mileage.'