PHH Arval, a subsidiary of PHH Corp., recently conducted an expanded version of its annual industry-wide survey of public and private sector fleet managers on the subject of the environment.  

The survey, available here with full analysis, was designed to gauge fleet managers' insights into environmental issues and solutions regarding their company vehicles and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This year, it was distributed via the Web and covered more subject areas than previous surveys. Key highlights included: 

• Interest in environmental issues remains strong: 74 percent of respondents reported they had been asked about the environmental impact of their fleets in the last year; 100 percent of people who identified "fleet management" as their full time job said they had been asked about the environmental impact of the fleet. 

• Few fleets are slowing their environmental programs because of the economy: 21 percent said the economic conditions had actually accelerated their fleet environmental goals, and only 9 percent said the economy had slowed their efforts. 

• Cost continues to be an issue: 44 percent of respondents said cost was a barrier to reducing fleet emissions, and 54 percent said it was the top challenge in "greening" their fleets. However, 24 percent have been finding cost savings as they reduce emissions. 

• Perception of "green" vehicles is changing: This year, the survey included new questions designed to determine how widespread certain perceptions are of "green" vehicles. Eighty-two percent of respondents disagreed with the statement, "Fuel efficient vehicles are less safe." And 56 percent disagreed with the statement, "Fuel efficient vehicles are less attractive to our drivers and executives." 

Karen Healey, PHH Arval director in charge of the company's environmental initiatives, commented, "We are encouraged to see progress in the greening of the corporate fleet, even in the current economic environment. Our survey shows there is still much room for improvement. The PHH GreenFleet® program, developed in partnership with Environmental Defense Fund, continues to lead the way in educating, measuring, and reducing both emissions and costs."