AN AUSTRALIAN STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF COMPANY CARS ON ENERGY CONSUMPTION

The composition of company car fleets affects fuel consumption at a national level through the influence of bulk purchases on vehicle manufacturers, and through the use of company cars for private purposes. This paper compares the characteristics of privately owned vehicles with company vehicles available to business people and members of the general public, sampled in a study carried out in the city of Brisbane during April 1988. Its finding is that company vehicles were newer, more valuable, had larger engines, were more likely to have automatic transmission and air-conditioning, and had poorer fuel economy than privately owned vehicles. (Author/TRRL)