Twenty five per cent of UK businesses employing over 1,000 staff have identified reducing fuel expenditure in an effort to cut costs, as their number one fleet priority, according to results of research by vehicle leasing and fleet management specialist ALD Automotive, conducted in conjunction with YouGov.

In addition, separate research carried out by ALD also revealed that business drivers were also taking steps to reduce their fuel consumption and associated costs. Of the 1,000 business drivers interviewed between January to June 2012, 50% were shopping around for the cheapest fuel; 65% were reducing their speed and driving more smoothly to save fuel; and 20% were cutting back on mileage driven.

Commenting on the survey results, Keith Allen, managing director of ALD Automotive UK, said: "As the fuel price continues to rise, it has become increasingly important for UK fleet management suppliers to work in partnership with their customers and their drivers in helping deliver initiatives that can help deliver cost savings from improved fuel management."