UK fleet managers lack the crucial knowledge to accurately report their vehicle emissions data

• New study shows that more than a quarter (26%) of UK fleet managers do not know the difference between scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions
• Nearly a quarter (23%) do not know the potential financial penalties for failing to report their vehicle emissions
• Respondents in the public sector were found to be the least familiar with the three scopes of emissions, with only 60% confirming they know the difference

19 June 2025, Farnborough, UK: Fleet managers across the country lack the crucial knowledge to accurately report their vehicle emissions data, a new study* from business mobility provider Alphabet (GB) has found.

More than a quarter (26%) of those questioned admit they do not know the difference between Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. In addition, 11% say they’re confused or not confident in being able to report their fleet emissions, and a similar number (12%) see all reporting of vehicle emissions as merely ‘a tick-box exercise’. 

Equally alarming is that nearly a quarter (23%) do not know the potential financial penalties for failing to report their emissions. Notably, one in 10 large companies (i.e., 250+ employees) was uncertain about their potential liability regarding failure to report their emissions.

This is the second set of results from research commissioned by Alphabet, released to coincide with National Clean Air Day (Thursday 19 June). Therefore, Alphabet is urging the UK Government to provide more support to fleet managers to improve their understanding of calculating, recording, and reporting emissions. 

Scope 1 emissions are those from sources owned or controlled by the company, such as fuel combustion in its boilers. It also includes vehicle fleet emissions. Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heating or cooling. Scope 3 is all other indirect emissions not already classified in scopes 1 and 2. This includes emissions from upstream activities such as purchased goods and services, and downstream activities such as waste disposal and employee commuting.

Across different industry sectors, the study highlights a great disparity in knowledge. Among respondents working in logistics, a sector which often has substantial vehicle fleets, 92% of respondents were able to differentiate between the three emission scopes. The result was similar in construction (85%). However, those working in the public sector were least knowledgeable, at only 60%.

Also, it is concerning that 15% of large UK companies (i.e., those with more than 250 employees) are either not confident, confused, or think reporting emissions is ‘a tick-box exercise’. And some of those companies will have been subject to mandatory emissions reporting since 2022.

In response to the findings, Caroline Sandall-Mansergh, Consultancy and Channel Development Manager at Alphabet (GB), said: “Our study shows that there is a significant knowledge gap when it comes to fleet emissions reporting. 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.

 “By prioritising education and creating accessible resources, we help fleet managers to meet their obligations, while contributing to the UK’s broader sustainability goals,” added Sandall-Mansergh.

Alphabet provides a range of fleet management tools, including the newly launched Carbon Manager, designed to assist fleet managers in tracking, analysing, and reporting their vehicle emissions.