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Kicking the CO2 habit

Masterlease is urging fleets across the globe to support World Environment Day on 5 June by taking a number of simple steps to cut CO₂ emissions. As part of its ongoing commitment to tackling climate change, the international fleet management company is encouraging businesses to ‘kick the CO₂ habit’ in a bid to reduce the environmental impact of their fleets and global fuel bills.

As a result, Masterlease, which operates in 17 countries around the world, has developed ten steps that businesses can follow to reduce the carbon footprint and fuel expenditure from their vehicle fleets:

1.   Measure business mileage. Even where this is logged for company car drivers, the business mileage in private vehicles is often hidden in the expenses system. 

2.   Reduce driver mileage by making sure alternatives are available and understood by all employees including:

a.   Car sharing for commuting and business travel

b.   Public transport links are publicised

c.   Short term vehicle hire or pool cars will provide insurance risk cover and ensure business mileage is done in the most economical vehicles

d.   More video and tele-conferencing

e.   Better journey planning

3.   Make sure CO₂ figures are clearly shown and highlighted in all vehicle choice lists

4.   Offer incentives to drivers who choose the greener option, ie: money back schemes for those who drive lower emission vehicles or reduce vehicle choice and stipulate certain fuel types

5.   Lead by example and encourage the senior team to choose lower emission cars

6.   Review any cash options offered as an alternative to the company car.  Research shows that drivers are 25% more likely to choose a more polluting vehicle when opting out of the company scheme.

7.   Review your mileage allowances.  Getting rid of higher reimbursement levels for drivers of bigger cars could dissuade people from choosing higher fuel consuming cars.  It may also help reduce mileage, whether in a company car or own vehicle.  If free private fuel is still offered, in most cases replacing this benefit with a fixed allowance is more cost effective for the employer and employee and this can reduce mileage.

8.   Consider the use of short term hire vehicles for business mileage for those without a company vehicle.  It allows you to dictate vehicle class, it can be a cheaper option than a pence per mile allowance, and it can also mitigate duty of care risks, with a known standard of vehicle, and insurance cover through your corporate policy.

9.   Vehicles perform to their best when properly serviced.  Ensure all vehicles are maintained according to the manufacturer’s recommended schedule.

10. Encourage drivers to check tyre pressures regularly.  Under/over inflated tyres can impact on fuel economy and safety.

The latest research by Masterlease has shown that unfortunately the environment is still not a major factor for fleet decision-makers across the world when looking at strategic vehicle procurement. In fact, the environment was regarded as a low priority amongst almost all of those 2,600 people surveyed despite it being currently so high on the political and business agendas around the world. 

Nick Brownrigg, CEO of Masterlease Group, comments:

“Climate change is the single biggest environmental issue facing the world today, and it is one that needs to be taken seriously by organisations no matter how big or small.

Greening your fleet needn’t be an onerous process as there are a number of simple steps that businesses can take in order to reduce their CO₂ emissions - from vehicle selection, to mileage reduction and driver education.  

“With ever increasing fuel bills, we are urging fleets across the globe to support World Environment Day to reduce their carbon footprint and achieve cost savings across the board.“ 

Masterlease is committed to helping its customers around the world reduce the environmental impact of their fleets.  From vehicle selection, to mileage reduction and driver education, Masterlease's experts can advise you on how to monitor and minimise the carbon footprint and fuel expenditure of your global vehicle fleet, whilst maintaining employee satisfaction.

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For further information, Cheryl King at SMARTS: 0121 456 3199

email cheryl.king@smarts.co.uk