Fleets need policies in place to get benefits from hybrids, says FleetCheck

FleetCheck is warning that fleets need to look carefully at how plug-in hybrids will be used and make sure policies are in place, otherwise they risk increased emissions and poor fuel economy.

Organisations will need to make sure charging points are available and teach drivers new on-road skills.
 
Peter Golding, managing director of the fleet software and management specialists aid: “With the ongoing ‘demonisation’ of diesel, plug-in hybrids are being presented as a potential like-for-like replacement offering similar fuel economy and improved emissions.
 
“However, as some fleets are already finding, this is not really the case. Before committing to use this technology, organisations really need to ensure that they have policy measures in place to ensure that they access the benefits they seek.
 
“If they don’t look carefully at how they plan to operating these vehicles, they could find various problems arising very quickly, most notably poor fuel economy and the resulting increase in emissions.”
 
A key point, Peter explained, was ensuring that drivers had access to charging, ideally both at home and at work.
 
“The strong fuel economy and emissions that plug-in hybrids deliver in the official figures are entirely dependent on their electric range being maximised. If drivers cannot charge them easily, then fuel economy will suffer.
 
“Certainly, it must be a matter of policy that any driver issued with a plug-in hybrid should have off-road parking with charging available.”
 
Peter said that drivers would also need guidance on how to get the best fuel economy out of their hybrid, which might require changes in their driving style.
 
“Depending on how the hybrid is engineered, some drivers will use the electric motor to add to the acceleration of the combustion engine and access very strong performance.
 
“However, driving the car in this way will remove the fuel economy advantages. Drivers must be shown how to get the most out of their hybrid and this may require some kind of formalised training and regular monitoring of fuel consumption.”
 
In many cases, Peter said, fleets would still come to the conclusion that diesel was the best option in terms of fuel economy and emissions.
 
“For higher mileage drivers especially, there is every suggestion that a Euro 6 diesel remains the most environmentally responsible solution, whatever the press, pressure groups and others are saying about its impact on air quality.”