There are 10 award categories this year aimed at all areas of reducing carbon emissions, from developing new models and specifying cleaner vehicles to how they are managed and how they are driven. 

Categories are:

• Best Public Sector

• Best Private Sector

• Innovation in Fleet Management

• Innovation in Car and Van manufacture

• Innovation in Services and Systems

• Industry Supplier

• Leadership

• Smarter Driving

• Grey Fleet Management

• Business Mileage Management.

In the first instance all that's required is a 250-word explanation of why the company should be recognised for an award and the category being entered.

Last year's winner of the Best Small Fleet and Leadership awards category was Commercial Group. The company's environmental strategist, Simon Graham, said: ‘Cutting carbon emissions is a key strategic aim for this company and something that our customers, employees and partners expect us to do. We were honoured to achieve Fleet Hero status – it's one of the most important accolades in the fleet industry.’

Nigel Underdown, head of transport advice, said: ‘Previous winners have shown the drive and creativity to deliver more efficient fleets solutions which has not only delivered great results for the environment but has also ensured lower operating costs.

‘We look forward to acknowledging yet more innovation and crowning this year's winners at the 2010 Fleet Hero Awards.’

For more information on the awards, last year's winners and details of how to apply go to: www.guardian.co.uk/fleet-heroes (website to go live from 28 September 2010).

The closing date for first round entries is 2 November.