Jan. 16, 2008 -- Seventy-six percent of fleet executives rate environmental concerns as one of the "most important" factors in their fuel management decisions, according to a new survey by Eye for Transport. A full 92% of respondents predict fuel prices will remain high or rise over the next year.

Thirty-seven percent of those surveyed rate green issues as "very important," and 17% called them a "top priority." When asked how they expect environmental concerns to impact their fuel management strategies over the next three years, another 76% say that they will either impact or greatly impact their strategies.

"These results were not surprising, but the consensus numbers were still higher than expected over environmental issues," says Katharine O'Reilly, director of environmental research at Eye for Transport. "The fact that over two-thirds of our respondents recognize the impact environmental issues will have on their operations in the near future is encouraging." However, O'Reilly notes that "it remains unclear whether fleets have the knowledge and resources necessary to implement effective fuel management strategies in light of this realization."

One way fleet managers are dealing with the high price of fuel is by passing the cost along to customers, the report finds. Twenty-eight percent admitted that they offset all fuel price increases with customer surcharges. Thirty-one percent say they cover at least some of the price hikes through this kind of hedging. And another 7% say they do not do so currently but are considering the strategy against future fuel increases. Despite hopes that hybrids, aggressive fuel efficiency programs, bulk fuel purchases, and alternative technologies can help fleets can limit surcharges, the practice appears here to stay, according to the report.

Overall, fleet executives concede they have a lot of room for improvement. When asked to rate their current fuel management plans, the majority of respondents settled for the middle ground, with 45% rating their management as "ok," and 26% as "good." Sixteen percent call their fuel management is "poor." Just 6% say they are completely satisfied with their "excellent" fuel management strategies.

Download the full report here.