UK fleet managers lack crucial knowledge on emissions reporting

A significant portion of UK fleet managers are ill-equipped to accurately report vehicle emissions, according to a new study by Alphabet (GB), released today to coincide with National Clean Air Day.

The research found that more than a quarter (26%) of UK fleet managers do not understand the difference between Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions – a fundamental requirement for accurate carbon reporting. Meanwhile, 23% were unaware of the financial penalties they could face for failing to report emissions data correctly.

The lack of understanding is especially acute in the public sector, where only 60% of respondents said they could differentiate between the three emissions scopes. This compares to 92% in logistics and 85% in construction – industries that typically operate large vehicle fleets.

Scope 1 emissions include direct emissions from owned or controlled sources such as fleet vehicles. Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from purchased energy, and Scope 3 encompasses all other indirect emissions, including supply chain impacts and business travel.

The findings also highlight a worrying complacency: 12% of respondents consider emissions reporting to be merely a “tick-box exercise”, and 11% admitted they felt confused or lacked confidence in reporting emissions accurately. Among large companies (250+ employees), 15% shared similar concerns, despite many being required to comply with mandatory emissions reporting regulations introduced in 2022.

“Our study shows that there is a significant knowledge gap when it comes to fleet emissions reporting,” said Sandall-Mansergh. “Fleet managers and business owners need to take the support available to better understand the complexities of emissions calculating, recording, and reporting to ensure compliance and avoid the risk of costly penalties.”

She added that a lack of understanding not only jeopardises regulatory compliance but also undermines wider sustainability efforts.

Business mobility provider, Alphabet, is calling on the UK Government to enhance educational support and resources for fleet managers. The company has recently launched Carbon Manager, a tool aimed at helping businesses track, analyse, and report fleet emissions more effectively.

As the UK accelerates toward net-zero targets, experts warn that knowledge gaps such as those highlighted in this study could stall progress. With emissions from road transport accounting for nearly a quarter of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions, accurate reporting is more critical than ever.