Small business fleets have switched onto the economic and environmental benefits of hybrids.

A survey into green fleet attitudes by leasing company Alphabet found that hybrid vehicles were most popular with small business fleets.

Small businesses were most likely to have reduced the number of drivers eligible for business cars, too.

Next year Honda has promised to meet this demand with some stylish newcomers.

There will be a new hatchback hybrid model: an exciting sports coupe hybrid like this CR-Z concept design shown at the London Motor Show: and in 2010 a hybrid version of the all-new Honda Jazz.

However, the same Alphabet survey found that small business fleets were also less likely to limit the CO2 output of their company cars.

“Much of the small business market is driven by rate,” commented Mark Sinclair, director, Alphabet. “But in the future, with the changes to Corporation Tax and the Expensive Car Leasing Disallowance, small businesses will need to look at the overall cost to the business, not just the headline rate.”

Hybrid vehicles – like the Honda Civic Hybrid and Toyota Prius – combine a normal petrol engine with an electric motor.

The motor assists the engine by giving it a boost during acceleration to improve fuel efficiency. The battery is re-charged with energy generated during deceleration and braking. The Honda Civic Hybrid has a fuel consumption of 61.4mpg and CO2 emissions of 109g/km.

Further information

• We have a useful Advice Centre article on What is a hybrid?

• For the forthcoming changes to Corporation Tax, there are further details here
  
• For changes to next year’s rental restrictions, read more here on the Expensive Car Leasing Disallowance