EXPERTS in the fleet industry are calling on the Government to do more to promote alternative fuels – and back up its campaign with long-term investment.

The comments come after car manufacturers were urged to 'sex up' alternatively-fuelled vehicles so they capture the hearts and minds of fleets (Fleet NewsNet, July 1).

They were made at a meeting held to step up the war on greenhouse gases between the Energy Saving Trust, which operates the Government's environmental transport programmes such as Powershift and CleanUp, fleet executives and leading industry figures. At the meeting, several experts said investment was vital if more fleets were to embrace alternative fuels and cleaner vehicles.

Stewart Whyte, managing director of Fleet Audits and a director of the Association of Car Fleet Operators, said: 'The Government must put long-term money into cleaner vehicles because fleet managers with four-year replacement programmes are concerned incentives will be taken away.'

Philip Dillon, head of engineering, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, said: 'It needs to do more to encourage engineering in the industry. Alternative-fuel vehicles have to be better than what is available now.'

  • The views of fleets are being sought as part of a consultation by the Department for Transport into its TransportEnergy grant levels. Comments should be made to the DfT by October 29. For details, visit www.dft.gov.uk/ roads/transportenergyconsultation.

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