The UK’s Association of Car Fleet Operators (ACFO) has announced the winners of its 2016 Awards, which saw Tesla gain its first titles in recognition of its rising role in the company car sector.

Tesla gained its first-ever ACFO accolades this year

At the awards, which are voted online exclusively by the ACFO membership following nominations from across the industry, the carmaker won the Environmental Initiative of the Year Award and shared the Green Vehicle of the Year Award for its Model S with the plug-in BMW i3, marking the third successive year the BMW has scooped the trophy.

Meanwhile BMW was highly commended in the Environmental Initiative of the Year and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle was similarly recognised in the Fleet Car of the Year category.

John Pryor, chairman of ACO, said: “The fleet industry continues to evolve and 2016 could be viewed as a watershed year as managers through their votes recognised that electric vehicles have a role to play in their company car operations.

“Significantly more than half of all new cars are bought by the corporate sector. Therefore, with the Government continually seeking to drive up demand for ultra-low and zero emission cars it is critical that models such as those from our 2016 award winners Tesla and BMW find favour with fleet managers and company car drivers.”

Results:

Fleet Safety Initiative of the Year (sponsored by Activa Contracts)

Winner – Brake

Highly commended – Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme

Fleet Service Company of the Year (sponsored by Skoda)

Winner – Marshall Leasing

Environmental Initiative of the Year (sponsored by Bott)

Winner – Tesla

Highly commended – BMW

Small Van of the Year (sponsored by Zenith)

Winner – Volkswagen Caddy

Large Van of the Year (sponsored by Commercial Fleet)

Winner – Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

Green Vehicle of the Year (sponsored by Prolegal Solicitors)

Winners – Tesla Model S and BMW i3

Fleet Car of the Year (sponsored by Lex Autolease)

Winner – Jaguar XE

Highly commended – BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C Class Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle