May 16, 2011 10:30 AM

Corporate fleet managers rate higher and more volatile fuel prices as their top concern in 2011, according to a recent survey conducted by GE Capital Fleet Services. More than a quarter of respondents (29%) said the recent spike in fuel prices has made this issue their top concern, up from 12% a year ago.

The survey of 105 fleet managers, conducted recently at the 2011 NAFA Institute & Expo in Charlotte NC, found that driver safety and cost savings were also top areas of concern. Concern for driver safety increased in 2011 to 28% from 21% in 2010, while cost savings fell as a priority but remained important at 23%, down from 36% in 2010.

Moreover, cost savings are now a bigger focus for executive management according to fleet managers. Sixty-four percent of those surveyed indicated that executive management’s main focus for fleets is cost savings, up from 48% in 2010.

“Volatile fuel prices are an overriding concern today for corporate fleet managers, given the current environment,” said Clarence Nunn, chief executive officer of GE Capital Fleet Services. “We are seeing a corresponding increase in interest from our fleet customers for solutions in fuel, telematics, and maintenance programs that will help them combat rising fuel costs and improve operational efficiency.”

Other key findings from the survey include:

•Analytics—29% of fleet managers use fleet analytics to improve operational efficiency, and 27% noted that analytics helped them achieve cost savings.

•Lease accounting—Between a third and half of fleet managers (40%) feel they don’t have a good enough grasp of how pending changes to lease accounting rules (Financial Accounting Standards Board) will affect fleet leasing.

•Electric vehicles—28% said they plan to incorporate electric vehicles into their fleets within the next 12 months.

For more information, visit: www.gefleet.com.