EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -

When it comes to voicing their most pressing concerns, the issue cited more often by fleet managers than any other is the rising and often topsy-turvy gas prices, according to GE Capital Fleet Services.

The company surveyed 105 fleet managers at the recent 2011 NAFA Institute & Expo in Charlotte, N.C. After collecting this data, GE Fleet reported that 29 percent of the managers were most concerned with fuel costs.

Comparatively, only 12 percent of fleet managers listed fuel costs as their top concern last year.

“Volatile fuel prices are an overriding concern today for corporate fleet managers, given the current environment,” explained GE Fleet chief executive officer Clarence Nunn.

“We are seeing a corresponding increase in interest from our fleet customers for solutions in fuel, telematics and maintenance programs that will help them combat rising fuel costs and improve operational efficiency,” Nunn added.

Another issue frequently cited by fleet managers was driver safety, as 28 percent of respondents pointed to this being their top concern. A year ago, 21 percent listed safety as concern No. 1.

GE Fleet found that cost savings was still a concern for fleet managers, but the 23 percent who said it as their top concern this year is down significantly from the 36 percent who said the same a year ago.

Fleet managers have said that executive management has put more of an emphasis on cost savings. In fact, almost two-thirds (64 percent) pointed to cost savings as being executive management’s top fleet priority. A year ago, less than half (48 percent) said the same.

Moving on, GE Fleet also shared some additional findings.

With regards to analytics, close to three in 10 fleet managers say they employ fleet analytics to help their respective fleets become more efficient. More than a quarter (27 percent) claim they enjoy cost savings thanks in part to analytics.

On the financial side, 40 percent of fleet managers said they don’t adequately understand the implications of pending lease accounting rule changes may have on fleet leasing.

Lastly, GE Fleet looked at electric vehicles, noting that 28 percent of managers intend for their fleets to utilize electric vehicles within the next year.