A new recruitment drive aimed at supporting managers of smaller fleets has been launched by the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP).
The industry body believes the advice, training and services it provides can often have the most significant impact on sub-50 vehicle operations.
One is Pal Dehal, operations support manager at ITS Technology Group, who said: “Joining the AFP was invaluable when I was asked to create a new fleet policy for our 18‑vehicle operation. The resources and support — especially the WhatsApp group where members openly share their expertise — made the process far easier. I’d recommend AFP membership to anyone with fleet responsibilities, regardless of fleet size.”
Paul Hollick, chair at the AFP, said: “People charged with managing smaller fleets are often facilities or office managers that have been handed the fleet as one of many responsibilities. They sometimes have little in the way of expertise and no access to help.
“We know from those who have found themselves in this position and joined the AFP that we’ve provided a lifeline, delivering the support needed to manage their fleet with a high degree of proficiency – helping to increase safety, aid compliance and reduce costs.
“That’s why we are trying to reach them in 2026. We can make a real difference to their working lives.”
The AFP’s biggest issue, he explained, was simply identifying these potential recruits, who rarely thought of themselves as fleet managers in a conventional sense.
“It’s very difficult to find effective channels through which we can communicate with those managing smaller fleets, often as part of another role. They probably don’t read the fleet media, take part in fleet webinars or visit fleet industry events. Their entire contact with the sector might be limited to their leasing company and their local dealership.
“Therefore, we are calling on fleet managers and others across the industry to help. If you know anyone in this position, please tell them about us and the support we provide.”
AFP membership is available from as little as £99 for individual members, he added, meaning that cost was very rarely an obstacle to becoming part of the organisation.
“At £99, even if we help someone with one problem, that amount is probably recovered many times over. If there is a barrier to entry, it’s that those managing small fleets often believe they need to be an industry professional to join the AFP, which is not the case at all. We’re here to help everyone and anyone who manages a fleet, and welcome all in a friendly and collegiate atmosphere.”
More information can be found at https://www.theafp.co.uk/membership/.
A delay to 2030 to coincide with the UK ban on internal combustion engined car sales is recommended by the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) in its response to the government consultation on electronic Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED).
The industry body says the planned 2028 introduction would impact heavily on adoption of electric cars and, in its current form, create a wide range of difficulties for fleet managers.
These include clarifying who is responsible for estimating mileage, complex calculations caused by the same vehicle being used by multiple drivers, defining the split between company and private mileage, possible benefit in kind taxation implications, difficulties around verifying mileage, how vehicle leasing companies are expected to recharge eVED, and the disproportionate impact on rural drivers.
Paul Hollick, chair at the AFP, said: “We strongly believe the government should look at ways of delaying and simplifying this proposal while reducing the burden on fleet operators.
“The electric car market is still stabilising and fleets remain negatively affected by residual value issues, Zero Emissions Mandate volumes and charging difficulties. Introducing eVED in 2028 is likely to slow adoption and increase costs. We believe moving its implementation to 2030 better aligns with fleet cycles and avoids destabilising both the new and used markets.
“There are also a wide range of what appear to us largely unnecessary complexities in the current proposals likely to generate huge amounts of administration work. They place a burden on drivers, fleet teams and leasing companies which seems disproportionate.”
The AFP favours a retrospective taxation system or a tax on electricity delivered through charge points rather than the proposed scheme based on predictive mileages.
Paul said: “We very much recognise that electrification is leading to a taxation shortfall for the Treasury that needs to be recovered somehow and also the government would prefer to introduce a system based on use, rather than the flat rate of current BIK.
“However, the proposals seem needlessly convoluted and this is very much the theme of our consultation response. Easier, better solutions appear to be available.”
The AFP response was created by the organisation’s new government affairs and policy lead Dale Eynon.
He said: “We consulted widely with members on this subject and there was a definite feeling the government’s proposals require rethinking at a fundamental level. Fleet operators want to see a simpler system less likely to impact on electric car adoption.”
These are the key points included by the AFP in its consultation response:
The current approach risks creating regional inequality, effectively imposing a “rural tax”. Drivers in rural areas – who depend on longer journeys and lack viable public transport alternatives – may face disproportionately higher annual costs.
The UK Government’s Spring Statement, delivered on 3 March 2026, primarily served as an economic update, with the Chancellor reserving major new policy changes for the upcoming Autumn Budget. However, the statement and accompanying forecasts confirmed several critical transport-related measures:
Motoring and Road Tax
The government reaffirmed its commitment to phased increases in fuel duty while introducing new tax thresholds for electric vehicles (EVs)
Public Transport and Infrastructure Funding
While no massive new infrastructure projects were launched, the government highlighted existing long-term funding commitments and local grants.
Electric Vehicle Incentives
To support the transition to zero-emission driving, several incentive schemes remain active in 2026.
Upcoming Changes to Watch
Two new 90-minute “bite sized” online courses for time-pressured fleet managers have been launched by the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP).
Part of the organisation’s AFP Fleet Academy programme for 2026, they are designed to easily fit into busy schedules while developing valuable practical skills and strategies that can be implemented immediately.
Time Management improves decision-making to focus on work that generates high value, long-term results, applying a framework to eliminate, delegate, or defer unnecessary tasks and commitments, shifting your mindset to take charge of your schedule so you get more done without feeling overwhelmed. You can now book onto the course on either 10th February or 28th April 2026.
Change Gear in Your Career helps identify strengths and talents to increase your impact in your current role, releasing untapped potential and using it to enhance your performance, professional image, and visibility. It identifies clear, practical steps to accelerate your career and move forward with confidence, and will be held on 3rd March 2026.
Charges for both courses are £99 for AFP members, £145 for non-members.
Ronnie Gillman, AFP training manager, said: “We believe time-pressured fleet managers should undoubtedly have the opportunity to access high quality, effective training, and these bite-sized courses are our response to that need.
“They are a new format for 2026 and we believe are likely to prove very popular. Covering areas of personal development that fleet managers often tell us they want to tackle in a cost-effective course that can be easily squeezed into a working day, they provide valuable new approaches that can be put into practice straightaway.”
The AFP Fleet Academy has also added another Accelerate course in 2026 called “Navigating People Challenges” which focuses on increasing your self-awareness as a leader while providing practical tools to manage your team more effectively.
Accelerate courses cover specific topics and soft skills including Your Voice in Fleet, Women’s Voices in Fleet, Making the Switch to Electric Vehicles and Operational eLCV Fleet Strategy.
Ronnie Gillman said: “Accelerate has become a popular concept. These courses provide fleet managers with a strong grounding in essential areas of the profession and have been an important part of the success of the AFP Fleet Academy in recent years.
“The new course, Navigating People Challenges, helps develop your skills to create better personnel outcomes. Whether managing people is a new part of your responsibilities or something you’ve been doing for many years, it explores a range of different tools and approaches in a safe and supportive environment.”
Accelerate – Navigating People Challenges will be delivered at Group 1 Mercedes-Benz in Coventry on 25th February and 16th June 2026. The fee is £395 per person for AFP members and £495 for non-members.
Further details on these courses and others from the AFP Fleet Academy can be found at https://www.theafp.co.uk/education-training/.
A new one-day course designed to enhance people management skills is being launched by the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP).
Part of the AFP Fleet Academy programme for 2026 and debuting in February, “Accelerate – Navigating People Challenges” consists of two modules. Develop Knowledge focuses on increasing your self-awareness as a leader while Activate Knowledge provides practical tools to manage your team more effectively.
Ronnie Gillman, AFP training manager, said: “Fleet managers frequently tell us that managing teams can be a challenge. It consumes much of their time and they find issues that arise often difficult to resolve.
“This course helps develop their skills to create better outcomes. Whether managing people is a new responsibility or something they’ve been doing for many years, it explores a range of different tools and approaches in a safe and supportive environment.
“Together, we will discuss how to find balance in the workplace by offering the level of support employees should expect from their manager while still ensuring people are performing effectively in the role for which they were employed.”
She said the course builds confidence in dealing with a wide range of everyday staff challenges – including anxiety, equality, health issues and disruptive behaviour.
“We provide a framework that equips delegates to address almost any problem. Every situation is unique and we can work through any scenarios delegates are currently facing, developing knowledge and skills together.”
The AFP Fleet Academy’s range of Accelerate courses cover specific topics and soft skills. For 2026, they include Your Voice in Fleet, Women’s Voices in Fleet, Making the Switch to Electric Vehicles and Operational eLCV Fleet Strategy.
Ronnie said: “Accelerate has become a very popular concept. These short, impactful courses provide fleet managers with a strong grounding in essential areas of the profession. They have been an important part of the success of the AFP Fleet Academy in recent years. We will be adding to our Accelerate offering in 2026, so watch this space for news on this.”
Accelerate – Navigating People Challenges will be initially delivered at Group 1 Mercedes-Benz in Coventry on two dates – 25th February and 16th June 2026. The fee is £395 per person for AFP members and £495 for non-members.
Further details can be found at https://www.theafp.co.uk/accelerate-navigating-people-challenges/.
Sharing the charging infrastructure of local businesses could answer the needs of fleets whose drivers lack off-road parking, so can’t install their own charger, believes the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP).
Paul Hollick, chair, AFP, says such facilities, available out-of-hours, can often be found near to employee’s terraced homes and apartments.
“In practical terms, not having home charging is probably the biggest blocker to electric vehicle (EV) adoption for fleets. Needing to charge during the daytime creates downtime that financially impacts on the core business and operational arguments for going electric, as well as usually being much more expensive than using a domestic charger.
“When fleets are considering which vehicles to electrify, this issue is often at the forefront of their minds. Uncertainty around the time, cost and location of charging for drivers and their cars and vans creates a lot of doubt. However, the AFP shared charging network provides a ready, drop-in solution that reduces or removes charging downtime thanks to an approach that gives fleets certainty.
“Our method is to identify charging needs for each individual fleet vehicle then, using intelligent data, match them with locally available, privately-owned facilities within our network. The owners of these shared chargers are signed up to our initiative on best practice terms, solving the problems of both convenience and cost.”
Working with its partner, Evata, the AFP launched their shared charging network and its accompanying portal and app in May, enabling vehicle operators to collaborate with peers to access charging at preferential rates, while allowing charger owners to achieve improved utilisation and margin.
Shakeel Ali, CEO of Evata, said momentum behind the project was building: “Our approach is very much consultative. We work with fleets to identify suitable shared provision in locations meeting their requirements, enabling them to transition in cases where EVs had previously been impractical because of an absence of overnight charging availability.
“By providing a data-driven approach to this structural problem, we do the heavy lifting, presenting each fleet with a comprehensive solution tailored to their needs. It is a significant and highly effective departure from the more conventional charging products provided by the market today.
“Having built up a substantial network and database of chargers, we are now in conversation about shared charging and operating pilots with both public and private sector bodies, as well as consortiums of all kinds. Everyone can see the potential.”
The online portal for fleet operators and self-serve mobile app for drivers together deliver fully secure means for shared charging to be delivered, Shakeel added.
“The portal offers visibility and control of shared charging use for fleet managers while the app provides information for drivers about charger locations, availability and any specific information prevalent to the site. As facilities can be on controlled sites, they may need to know about health and safety, for example, so we provide a digital first approach to ensuring the driver has the necessary information at hand and in a workable format.
“Also, the app provides drivers with the ability to book charging in advance, creating a further layer of convenience.”
Fleets interested in taking part in AFP shared charging as either a user or provider should contact [email protected].
Fleet engagement with the new government consultation on Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED) is “essential” to highlight a wide range of potential problems, says the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP).
Paul Hollick, chair, said that the industry body’s members broadly accepted the need for the government to recover revenue lost from petrol and diesel fuel duty but there were major concerns about the system being proposed.
He said: “Fleets generally recognise the Chancellor needs to balance her books and that fuel duty is being lost as more and more fleets and private motorists adopt electric vehicles (EVs).
“However, there are considerable problems with eVED as currently proposed. At a strategic level, the timing is highly questionable. Acceptance of EVs in the fleet and especially retail sectors is growing steadily but still highly uneven. Adding to costs before electric cars become the norm, especially with a new form of taxation, is a very risky move.
“Initial public reception to the idea of pence per mile payments has not been positive and there is the possibility that eVED becomes a further, perhaps major, barrier to EV adoption.
“The government’s thinking appears to be that this negativity will be offset by continuing the new electric car grant until near the end of the decade but whether that will materialise is questionable. Also, it won’t help demand in the used market, which is perhaps where fleets have the biggest concerns about electrification because of less than expected residual values.”
Additionally, there were problems with the eVED scheme as outlined, he said, with the estimated mileage amount paid upfront and adjusted 12 months later following verification.
“It’s just something of a hotch-potch. It’s not really pay-on-use and it’s not really retrospective charging. We’re struggling to see any advantages at all in this approach.
“The obvious alternative is a technological solution but journey tracking would inevitably and properly raise questions over privacy and civil liberties. Also, any form of hardware or software used to collect data could add significant costs for fleets and private motorists.”
A further issue, he added, was the need for drivers to book into MOT test stations annually to have their mileage verified.
“Cars under three years old, representing the vast majority of fleet vehicles, don’t visit MOT stations and it’s an area where we know there is undercapacity, so this will mean lost work time and unnecessary disruption. It certainly doesn’t fit with the consultation’s stated aim of minimising the administrative burden of eVED.”
Paul said the AFP’s Future Roads Committee would be convened soon in order to aggregate member views on eVED and present them to the government.
“We’re planning on making our views heard firmly as an industry body and it is essential individual fleets to do the same. The more information that can be presented as part of the consultation before the March 18 deadline, the better.”
Despite the many difficulties that eVED presented, it was promising the government had established a track record of listening to fleets on major issues, he added.
“Our experience of working alongside other industry bodies to present the fleet sector’s concerns about policies that affect us has been largely positive. The government often takes note of our representations.
“In the last week or so, we’ve seen this in new measures that make adoption of 4.25 tonne electric vans much easier and in the Budget, the extension of the VED Expensive Car Supplement to £50,000. We’re very much hoping a similar, pragmatic approach will be applied to the many concerns we hold about eVED.
“A plus point is that we have more than two years before the planned introduction of the new system and it is possible, even probable, that considerable time and effort will be needed to arrive at a solution that works for fleets, private motorists and the Treasury. The current consultation may well be the first step in a lengthy process.”
New team set up to tackle “egregious breaches of employment rights” – starting with hand car washes
Fleets should take a “measured approach” to security risks highlighted by the government around Chinese-manufactured cars, says the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP).
Defence minister Luke Pollard this week warned Ministry of Defence (MoD) employees were being urged not to discuss sensitive issues when travelling in Chinese cars and the use of such vehicles was under examination, with warning stickers being fitted to windscreens.
However, Paul Hollick, AFP chair, said these issues affected relatively few vehicle operators and fleets should adopt a proportionate response.
“We’re living through a moment where there is a great deal of sensitivity about Chinese espionage activities in general, with a new alert issued to Parliament this week. There is little doubt the UK government is treating this as a serious issue.
“For security-critical fleets such as the MoD and their suppliers, it is absolutely correct that steps should be taken to minimise risks and if the authorities believe Chinese cars present a potential weakness, their use should be examined in detail.”
He said several AFP members in this position were already working with the authorities and taking appropriate action.
“In technical terms, there are potential causes for concern. Almost all newer vehicles have multiple cameras, microphones, satnav and internet connectivity that could be used to collect information by a hostile actor.
“However, while this is possible, it’s an area easily prone to exaggeration. There is perhaps a perception being promoted in some more sensational areas of the press that someone sitting in a grey walled office in Beijing can click a few buttons on their laptop and listen to a chat between two people as they sit in a traffic jam on the M40. We know of no evidence suggesting this has ever occurred.
“Of course, some of our members – who work in government, critical infrastructure and defense – handle cybersecurity risks every day as part of their management of the fleet. For example, there are often guidelines about where to park vehicles when visiting sensitive sites. Similar policies usually apply to personal mobile phones, and the security concerns surrounding vehicles are comparable.”
For the vast number of fleets adopting Chinese cars, the message was very much there was no reason to panic, Paul said.
“Chinese-manufactured cars – and this includes some established European brands as well as less familiar new entrants to the market – are finding a home on many fleets because they appear to offer excellent value, especially when it comes to electrification.
“Unless you are operating in a sector where security is an everyday concern, we’re unaware of any reason why fleets shouldn’t continue to buy and operate them as before. If there are specific risks, we’d very much expect the government to make us aware.”
Paul added that technology in newer cars was probably more likely to be misused for domestic crime than international espionage, with specific risks around ensuring everyday data stored on cars was regularly monitored and deleted before disposal.
“The amount of personal data being stored on modern cars is enormous. For the average user in a normal company car, it’s not just a question of contacts, phone numbers and destinations but even biometric information such as your weight.
“This is a more present security risk than Chinese cars, in our opinion, and is of concern to all fleets rather than just a few involved in critical sectors. Anyone who works in the used car sector can attest to how much data is often left on vehicles when they are sold.
“One AFP member recently explained to me how the motor manufacturer app on his phone was still tracking the location of a company car sold by his employer five years ago, and he could hypothetically open and close its locks. That’s not too unusual. It’s a huge worry and perhaps indicates that for the vast majority of fleets, the potential misuse of everyday data to carry out simple thefts is a bigger concern than hostile foreign governments.”
Fleets need rapid clarification on how to apply the “split-level” Advisory Electric Rates (AERs) put in place by HMRC in September, says the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP).
Paul Hollick, chair at the industry body, says the move – which provides an AER of 8 pence per mile (ppm) for domestic charging and 14 ppm for highway charging – had left electric company car operators in limbo.
“Alongside many others in the fleet sector, we were initially very welcoming of the change to a split-level rate, something for which we had been long campaigning in recognition of the widely different costs of private and commercial charging.
“However, the implementation has been confusing at best. AERs exist to provide businesses with a useful simplification when it comes to employees reclaiming fuel costs but the new system is almost unusable as it stands.”
HMRC’s guidance for split-level AER is that for journeys where a company car is charged at both public and residential locations, fleets can apportion the mileage based on how much charging happens at each place.
Paul said: “How that advice might be implemented is open to wide interpretation and few fleets are confidently proceeding. We require clarification about the methodology and evidencing that is required, especially where it needs to be coded into existing systems. Almost no-one wants to go forward risking they’ll adopt the new AER regime incorrectly and face considerable tax back payments and even fines at some point in the future.”
In the absence of detailed instructions, most fleets were playing it safe by using the 8ppm rate, he reported.
“Only in instances where a driver exclusively uses highway charging can the 14ppm rate safely be used. Choosing the lower rate is the conservative option but means drivers who use a lot of commercial charging but some domestic continue to be left out of pocket, which is highly unfair. It’s especially difficult for fleet managers to explain to employees aware of the higher AER why they won’t be able to pay them the 14ppm rate.
“We very much believe this is an area where the authorities should be encouraging more drivers and businesses to adopt electric company cars by enabling fair, easy and accurate reimbursement of fuel costs, and this confusion is a definite disincentive.”
Lorna McAtear, AFP deputy chair, added that the government’s moves were expensive to accommodate from a process point of view, with few fleets able to afford to rewrite their software to apportion rates.
“An idea suggested when the new rates were first announced is probably the best and easiest solution, in our view. If a driver has a home charger, they sign a declaration stating that fact and are treated as an 8ppm claimant. If they don’t have a home charger, they sign a similar declaration to that end and claim everything at 14ppm. This is simple to administer and fair in the broadest sense.
“This method also enables fleets to easily add additional amounts to their ppm rate, if they so choose. Both the AERs are arguably too low, especially the higher level when drivers are using highway rapid chargers, and employers could boost the amount they pay easily because the process is so straightforward.”
The AFP, alongside other organisations representing the fleet sector, was collecting evidence to show HMRC how further action was required to make split level AERs practical, Paul said.
“We have a good relationship with the tax authorities and they listen to our feedback but their approach is very evidential. They’ll want to see proof the situation exists as we describe it before further action is taken and then will need to spend time arriving at a solution that works for them and for fleets.
“Our view is that rapid clarity is needed by fleets but the reality is that arriving at a positive outcome could take some time, which is frustrating.”
AER is a ppm reimbursement rate set by the government for employees using a company EV for business travel. These rates are not mandatory, but using them avoids potential tax on benefits for both employer and employee.