FLEETS that have converted vehicles to run on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are being highlighted in a new campaign to encourage more firms to make the switch.

The 'Make a Stand' campaign is being run by TransportEnergy PowerShift and highlights the benefits of alternative fuels, including lower tax rates, lower fuel costs and, in some cases, the offer of a 100% discount on congestion charges.

One fleet being put under the spotlight by the awareness programme is electronics company Thales, which claims it is saving thousands of pounds a year on its fleet costs after becoming one of the UK's biggest users of LPG-powered vehicles. Thales has 300 LPG vehicles, made up of 230 light commercial vehicles and 70 pool cars.

It also operates 1,600 company cars and will soon add an LPG option to its user-chooser list. Thales switched to green fuels with help from TransportEnergy PowerShift, receiving about £250,000 in grants to cover the extra cost of conversion.

Thales' environmental manager Mike Evans said: 'You can't exist as a modern company if you don't recognise the need to be socially responsible. Many of our customers want to know their suppliers have high environmental standards that we can now prove. On top of that, switching to LPG also saves us thousands of pounds a year.'

The TransportEnergy campaign, targeted at senior managers, aims to raise awareness of the economic benefits of choosing green fuels and the funding available to cover additional costs. It will send direct mail-outs to company fleet managers, directors and chief executives until the end of the year.

TransportEnergy acting director Rob Dickson said: 'Our message to businesses is – make a stand! Using clean fuel vehicles is no longer just an option for those who want to do their environmental bit – it also makes economic and green sense.'

LPG is a viable option – see the 'Your opinion' section.