GREENING THE GREY
Grey fleet usage means businesses do not have to worry about vehicle ownership and maintenance. However, as the pressure mounts to reduce business emissions – and the age of the vehicle parc increases – grey fleet vehicles could present an increasing risk for many organisations.
New Europcar research of employees who drive for work has found that 85% use their own vehicle, not a company, pool or rental car for business travel. And this makes it harder for employers to meet duty of care requirements, vehicle checks and compliance. It also makes it more difficult to meet emissions targets as grey fleet vehicles are typically older and therefore less fuel efficient.
With vehicles on UK roads now an average of more than nine years old, this reliance on grey fleet gives fleet and travel managers several areas of concern.
Safety first
First and foremost, of course, is the issue of safety. Research amongst employers found that only 40% claimed to do mandatory vehicle checks on employees’ own vehicles and just 39% required proof of MOT or servicing. Yet the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 clearly states that it is ’the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all employees’ and this includes when employees are travelling.
Going green
The other issue is the age of grey fleet vehicles. With the average age of the UK car parc being 9 years old, how many of a grey fleet actually comply with CAZ and ULEZ requirements? And if they’re not – what are the real costs to a business? Tolls and fines could be an unplanned expense. Plus, reputationally, does employees using older grey fleet vehicles tell the right story for a business and its brand?
The Europcar Solution
Rental makes a lot of sense as part of a holistic fleet strategy to tackle the risks of grey fleet usage, especially as nearly half (45%) of drivers said they are using their vehicle for business travel for between 2 and 8 hours per week. Providing company vehicles for this type of usage is arguably uneconomical and unsustainable. Providing access to rental vehicles makes more sense.
Europcar is delivering solutions that mean businesses don’t need to make long-term financial commitments to vehicles that may not be required in the future. Access to the Europcar fleet – by the day, week, month or even year – not only provides more certainty over vehicle safety and condition. It also means emissions can be reduced by using modern rental vehicles, as well as accessing the latest electric models. And, critical to optimising efficiency, the Europcar Delivery & Collection service means vehicles are delivered to a driver’s home or workplace so that they can get on with their journey without the hassle of pick-up or return.
To download the Europcar Grey Fleet report visit Greening the Grey Fleet
To find out more about Europcar sustainability solutions click the link below
or call us on 0371 384 0140.