Delegates attending a series of fleet management workshops were asked to list the key issues they face. Each run fleets of 100 vehicles or fewer and most of those polled have part-time fleet responsibility or are new to the role of fleet manager.
While risk management, administration and reducing costs were identified as key issues, environmental concerns failed to make the top 10.
This result is in stark contrast to recent surveys of larger fleets which have put reducing the environmental impact of corporate motoring at the top of the agenda.
Jason Francis, managing director of Jaama, which hosted the workshops and carried out the poll, said: “All the issues raised by delegates are fundamental to the operation of best practice fleet management.
“However, at the Fleet Management Essentials workshops we have run so far this year green issues have not been seen as hugely important, although some delegates are aware of the importance of fuel efficiency.”
Mr Francis said that while some of the delegates may not be responsible for strategic green policy decisions, they should be aware that introducing environmentally-friendly initiatives will reduce overall fleet operating costs.
Such moves could include favouring low emission vehicles on choice lists, introducing mileage management policies and promoting the use of alternatives to car use where practical.
Mr Francis added: “Duty of care and a company’s health and safety responsibility for its at-work drivers has been at the top of fleet decision-makers’ agendas for a number of years.
“We must now ensure that organisations understand the importance of operating environmentally-friendly fleet policies and how their introduction can save money and make them more corporately responsible.”
Top 10 small fleet issues
1. Driver licence checking
2. Legislation/duty of care/corporate manslaughter – ensuring the business is taking all reasonable steps
3. Risk management and ensuring risk assessments are completed
4. Policies/procedures – the updating and management of company policies
5. Smoking ban – making employees aware of the ban, which is already in place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and is due to come into force in the UK on July 1, and enforcing/monitoring compliance
6. Keeping on top of general day-to-day fleet administratio
7. Introducing measures to reduce the overall cost of running the fleet
8. Putting in place key performance indicators to highlight cost increases
9. Taking measures to ensure employees look after their vehicles
10. Taking steps to ensure drivers understand end-of-contract recharges if vehicles are damaged beyond laid-down fair wear and tear standards
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