MOVING a 100-strong fleet down an average of 10g/km of CO2 could save more than £30,000 in fuel over 60,000 miles, research has found.

According to new figures, a diesel fleet of 171-180g/km will save £10,400 in fuel in 20,000 miles over one averaging 181-190g/km.

Similarly spectacular savings are available by making the fleet cleaner at most levels (see table below).

The figures have been worked out by Lex Vehicle Leasing, through its Momentum fleet management consultancy team.

Lex believes it is the first company to publish its own mpg/CO2 emission tables to help identify potential cost savings for its customers.

Momentum developed the tables as part of its annual Milestone fleet Healthcheck programme.

The Healthcheck reviews all elements of a fleet in detail and then makes recommendations for improvements and how they should be adopted. Lex Momentum’s associate director, Gerard Gornall, said: ‘Too many companies do not realise the level of savings that can be achieved by relatively small reductions in CO2 emissions.

‘Our analysis of the relationship between CO2 and mpg makes for interesting reading and is a win-win for companies – they reduce their emissions and their fuel bills.’

Lex added that another key aspect of reducing CO2 emissions is the positive impact it has on reducing Class 1 National Insurance contributions, which are based on the CO2 emissions of individual vehicles.

The impact of reducing the average tax band on the same customer’s fleet by one level will reduce its annual NIC bill by 5%.

Petrol Diesel
CO2 banding Average mpg Cost per CO2 banding Average mpg Cost per
10,000 miles (£)* 10,000 miles (£)*
111-120 64 615 111-120 63 601
121-130 60 655 121-130 56 673
131-140 56 709 131-140 50 757
141-150 52 762 141-150 48 777
151-160 49 811 151-160 44 865
161-170 46 867 161-170 41 912
171-180 43 925 171-180 39 977
181-190 40 977 181-190 36 1,037
191-200 39 1,024 191-200 35 1,083
201-210 36 1,084 201-210 33 1,135
211-220 35 1,115 211-220 31 1,200
221-230 33 1,205 221-230 30 1,254
231-240 32 1,229 231-240 29 1,300
241-250 31 1,253 241-250 28 1,348
251-260 29 1,342 251-260 27 1,400
261-270 30 1,331 261-270 26 1,447

*Figures have been worked out using the following fuel costs Diesel 86.9ppl, Petrol 82.9ppl