Fleet operators are being urged to educate drivers and go green in a bid to manage spiralling fuel costs.

Fleet funding company Alphabet found that the price of fuel tops the list of operators’ concerns, with 39% of managers saying fuel prices are the biggest motivator of fleet policy changes.

However, managers have been accused of inactivity in the face of rising costs.

Neville Briggs, managing director at CFC Solutions, said: “Many fleets – perhaps even the majority – are guilty of ignoring the key tools that are available to take control of fuel costs.”

Rob Bailey, head of Lombard Vehicle Management, said that fuel prices would act as a strong incentive for choosing greener vehicles.

“A 40% reduction in CO2 equates to approximately 8mpg, resulting in a saving of around £600 in fuel costs over three years at today’s fuel prices and considerably more if prices continue to rise,” he said.

Marcus Noble, managing director at Active Risk Management, believes that fleets can save hundreds of pounds for each driver who driver who drives defensively and goes easy on the gas.

“The single biggest factor in cutting fuel costs for fleet operators is the driver,” he said.

“How efficiently we can train drivers to drive is the key to fleets dramatically cutting their fuel bills.”

Mr Noble’s comments were echoed by Diarmuid Fahy, head of ING Car Lease, who said that managers need to ensure proper journey planning and maintenance checks, as well as better driving habits.

“We are urging fleets to look creatively at the issue of fuel efficiency and consider other measures such as the use of air conditioning, better route planning, undertaking tyre and oil checks and driver training,” Mr Fahy said.