In the UK there is ample and growing evidence that the “green” message is getting through to businesses running fleets of company cars. Now comes news that the CO2 levels of new vehicles  currently being added to the managed fleet at contract hire and fleet management specialist, Fleet Alliance, have fallen to an all-time low as corporate customers continue to heed the company’s advice and choose the greenest, most tax efficient vehicles available. 

Martin Brown, managing director of Fleet Alliance confirmed that almost two thirds of all vehicles added to the company’s managed fleet of 9,500 vehicles in August were below the 140g/km emission level, with a third of them below 120g/km and 3%  greener still with emissions below the 100g/km mark.

And in the first eight months of this year, of the new vehicles added to the Fleet Alliance fleet, 77% were below 160g/km, with 62% of these below 140g/km year as the swing to cleaner and more tax efficient new models continues.

Ambitious growth targets

Fleet Alliance manages over 9,500 vehicles on behalf of corporate clients, which would put it at No.25 by fleet size in the Fleet News FN50 ranking table of leading contract hire and leasing companies. The company has ambitious growth targets and plans to have a 15,000 strong vehicle fleet as part of its five-year plan.

Brown explained: “The pace of environmental change is actually accelerating. In April this year, 56% of all new vehicles ordered were less than 140g/km; in August the corresponding figure had increased by 9% to 65%.”

“We are seeing a definite increase in the pace of environmental change across the whole fleet. Corporate customers and their drivers are taking on board the message that ‘green’ equals lower costs as well as being more environmentally friendly.”

“Drivers are benefitting from selecting lower emission vehicles because of the financial advantages which include lower BIK, national insurance contributions and VED. Their companies are to promoting greener vehicles to their staff as they mean higher capital allowances and lower national insurance charges for them.”

Message getting across

“The message that lower CO2 equals lower costs, lower fuel consumption and lower taxes is definitely getting across and we have pushed it very hard with our clients. By making the right vehicle choices now, fleet decision makers can make cost savings running into several thousand pounds over the typical three year life of a vehicle,” he added.

Brown also said that vehicle manufacturers’ latest model ranges were having a marked impact in driving down carbon emissions. “The major motor manufacturers are introducing far more choice in the sub-140 and sub-120 product sectors. This is a trend that will only increase over time,” he said.

Fleet Alliance continues to see emissions fall across all marques but especially from the four brands that make up the Volkswagen Audi Group – Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT and Skoda. Ford and BMW are others which feature on the Fleet Alliance fleet and which have made significant attempts to lower carbon emissions across the board.

 “The cumulative effects of the various tax increases, including VAT at 20%, are having an impact on corporate vehicle choice, and will continue to do so for the next few years. Businesses will see their fleet costs rising in future unless they take action now.”

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