FLEET decision-makers are being asked to help an inventor who believes he may have the solution to one of the industry's most costly problems – misfuelling.

Somerset-based inventor and former aircraft technician Martin White has designed a fuel filler attachment that prevents the wrong fuel being put into the tank.

The device has been designed as an aftermarket fit replacing the original fuel cap.

Misfuelling diesel vehicles is an increasingly frequent and costly problem. The AA says the misfuelling of diesel cars happens 120,000 times a year in the UK, with repair costs ranging from £80 to £12,000.

White said: ‘Fleet operators will be the prime customers followed by new and used car dealers. The fuel distributors industry is under pressure to solve the problem and the device should retail well at every fuel station as well as car accessory outlets.’

He has filed a patent application and produced and tested several prototypes. The photograph shows a prototype fitted to a BMW.

Now White wants the opinions of fleet decision-makers on both the problem and the appeal of a possible solution. He has put together a questionnaire.

‘To properly expose the commercial case for manufacture, I need good estimates for the price users are willing to pay for the protection afforded by the device and the size of the market. All the questions are optional and should you wish please add any comments regarding what you would expect of such a product.’

To get in touch with White email martinvention@btinternet.com.