Managing costs is the main focus for 87% of companies over the next year, while controlling CO2 emissions is the priority for 57%.

John Lewis, chief executive of the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), said: “The results are a clear indication that more businesses are adopting best-practice fleet management strategies, with their main focus on reducing costs and emissions.”

As well as extending lease periods and limiting car choice, other planned cost cutting measures include reallocating leavers cars (41% of companies).

There has also been a steady decline in those companies offering cash allowances only, from 10% in 2006 to just 4% in 2010.

Tony Leigh, head of car fleet services at PwC, told Fleet News that he was not surprised by the vast majority of the report’s findings. However, he had expected to see petrol variants starting to make a “come back” considering the advances manufacturers had made.

PwC operates a salary sacrifice scheme for its own employees, which means they have not been subjected to lease extensions or a reduction in the choice of cars available.

“Salary sacrifice enables us to offer a wider choice and is in fact naturally self regulating because of the way it is aided by the BiK tax system,” explained Leigh.

More follows on page three...