THE future of alternative fuels is at the a crossroads, according to the AA, which launched its new report, 'Fleets Fuels and Taxes', at Fleet Show 2000. Alternative fuels such as liquid petroleum gas will continue to be considered as unviable by many fleet managers and businesses, unless positive steps are taken by petrol companies to invest in infrastructure, AA Business Services general manager Ray Combs said at the show.

The report, based on a survey of almost 1,500 UK businesses, reveals just 1% of fleets currently use alternative fuels, while two thirds of fleets have no plans to introduce the new fuels on to their fleets. Combs said: 'Clearly fleet managers have yet to be convinced that the benefits of alternative fuels outweigh the disadvantages in terms of convenience.

'Only the really environmentally committed have decided to go down this route. The market is faced with a chicken and egg dilemma. Given the high level of apathy expressed through our survey, the future of alternative fuels appears to be at a crossroads.'