Praise for green fleet pioneers

The 2011 GreenFleet Awards were presented to deserving public and private sector organisations and manufacturers for their efforts in environmental fleet management and green motoring

There has been an explosion of ultra-frugal vehicles come onto the market and many organisations are using such vehicles, along with pioneering environmental strategies, to reduce the carbon footprint of their transport operations.

As the pace of environmental change quickens, the 2011 GreenFleet Awards, sponsored by O2, were more hotly contested than ever. The 18 awards were presented to deserving public and private sector fleet organisations and manufacturers for their efforts in environmental fleet management and low carbon motoring.

The awards ceremony took place at Twickenham Stadium on 13 October and was presented by world famous impressionist and comedian Alistair McGowan, who referred to the awards as ‘the oscars of the fleet industry’.

The GreenFleet Award for Outstanding Achievement was presented to Dr. Colin Herron, who has worked tirelessly to make the North East of England an internationally recognised centre for low carbon vehicle innovation and education. He received the 2011 Outstanding Achievement Award for his groundbreaking work at regional development agency One North East, where he played a major role in researching and implementing an electric vehicle infrastructure, whilst promoting cultural change.

WINNING VEHICLES
Fiat’s new 500 TwinAir took the top prize for City Car Manufacturer of the Year. The ground-breaking car features a low-consumption 875cc two-cylinder engine and emits just 95g CO2 per km, making it the cleanest quantity production petrol engine in the world.
The powertrain, voted the 2011 International Engine of the Year, appeals to a wide variety of customers. Despite weighing just 85kg, it rates among the most powerful mainstream A-segment vehicles on sale.

The title of Electric Vehicle of the Year went to the Nissan LEAF. The vehicle boasts five door practicality, including a generous boot space, a 109-mile range and a high level of standard specification. The integrated satnav can locate a driver’s nearest charging point, and Nissan is further improving the car’s appeal to fleet users in the capital by allowing drivers free charging for 12 months at 150 points, set up by Source London.

The Award for Fleet Car Manufacturer of the Year went to BMW. Due to the success of the ultra-frugal 320d EfficientDynamics Saloon – which achieves an impressive 74mpg and emissions as low as 109g/km – the company is expanding its portfolio by launching the 520d EfficientDynamics Saloon and the 116d EfficientDynamics hatchback.

GREENER FLEETS
The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead scooped top prize in the Public Sector Fleet of the Year (below 250 vehicles) category. The council’s sub 120g/km Salary Sacrifice Leasing Car Scheme for staff was launched in April this year. Open to some 2,000 staff members, the scheme has been widely accepted and is seen as a catalyst to staff retention.

The all-electric Nissan Leaf was also introduced during 2011, and is now an integral part of the councils pool car fleet, operating between two administrative centres. Within its manifesto, the council has committed to the installation of charging points, to be situated at various council owned car parks in partnership with a multinational supplier. 

The Vehicle Selection Process Guide, first introduced by the fleet manager in 2005, has also been revamped Before any new vehicle can be procured, heads of service must read the guide and complete an environmental impact questionnaire. This enables the most environmentally friendly vehicle in class to be sourced.

The Award for Private Sector Fleet of the Year (below 250 vehicles) was presented to Commercial Group. Between 2006 and 2011, emissions at Commercial Group experienced a 65.93 per cent drop, and despite an increase in miles travelled this year, this has been maintained. Commercial’s biodiesel solution uses a variable computer blending system which can blend any quantity from 100 per cent mineral diesel to 100 per cent biodiesel. This allows the fuel blend to be specific to each vehicle. 24 hour access is provided for its drivers.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
www.greenfleetawards.co.uk

AWARD WINNERS
City Car Manufacturer of the Year, sponsored by O2
Winner: Fiat

Driver Training Company of the Year, sponsored by Big Green Book
Winner: IAM Drive & Survive

Electric Vehicle of the Year, sponsored by EDF Energy
Winner: Nissan - LEAF

Fleet Car Manufacturer of the Year, sponsored by O2
Winner: BMW

Industry Innovation Award
Winner: Azure Dynamics - Ford Transit Connect Electric

IT Innovation Award
Winner: TomTom Business Solutions

LCV Manufacturer of the Year, sponsored by Michelin
Winner: Citroen

Leasing Company of the Year
Winner: Automotive Leasing

LGV Manufacturer of the Year, sponsored by Garmin
Winner: Volvo Trucks

Public Sector Fleet of the Year (above 250 vehicles), sponsored by Enterprise Rent-a-Car
Winner: Dumfries & Galloway Council

Private Sector Fleet of the Year (below 250 vehicles), sponsored by IAM Drive & Survive
Winner: Commercial Group

Private Sector Fleet (250-500 vehicles), sponsored by Europcar
Winner: Iron Mountain Europe

Private Sector Fleet Manager of the Year, sponsored by Elektromotive
Winner: Robert Paddock - Commercial Group

Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year, sponsored by Green Motion
Winner: Mark Green - The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

Rental Company of the Year
Winner: Green Motion

Private Sector Fleet of the Year (over 500 vehicles), sponsored by DrivingMonitor
Winner: Morrison Utility Services

Public Sector Fleet of the Year (below 250 vehicles), sponsored by Tennant Green Machines
Winner: Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead