Fleet decision-makers will have to embrace a range of technologies to help the government hit its target of reducing CO2 emissions, according to Cenex.

The Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon and Fuel Cell Technologies is managing a low carbon public procurement programme on behalf of the Department for Transport.

It has £20 million at its disposal to develop the technology to tackle the 25% increase in the past 10 years of emissions from light commercial vehicles – equivalent to 11.5% of overall transport emissions.

“There are many changes in technology,” said Chris Walsh, technical specialist at Cenex. “Some are near term and some are far term.

“But what is crucial is we don’t push people in the wrong direction with the many options available.”

Mr Walsh explained that through the low carbon public procurement programme, Cenex was examining seven different approaches.

They include: stop-start; micro hybrid; full hybrid; natural gas; and all electric vans.

Each option, added Mr Walsh, had benefits and shortcomings according to the job they were being asked to do.