18th May 2012
Local Company Offers Greener Cars with Greater Choice
24th Jun 2005
Sandy-based EPL Access, working with the Business Travel Initiative (BTI) has just proved that it is possible to combine a greener company car fleet without restricting staff choice. When EPL looked at replacing its 25-strong company car fleet, its objective was to encourage the workforce to choose “greener” cars, while providing financial savings for the company. Managing Director John Jennings called on Steve Macey, BTI training coordinator, for advice. Encouraged by Steve, John Jennings in conjunction with his lease hire company produced a comprehensive spreadsheet for his staff. While John removed the huge four-wheel drive vehicles from the list, the finished spreadsheet now offers staff a choice of 250 cars and takes into account list price, servicing, wear and tear, CO2 emissions, fuel use, national insurance, taxation, leasing costs, and depreciation. Giving his staff a choice about where they spend their money is one of the key factors that John believes will make the car-leasing scheme successful. He says, “It’s all very well coming across like a prophet, but if you say, ‘Come on chaps let’s save the planet,’ you don’t meet with a very good response. But if you tell your staff they can save £20 a month, they’ll listen. It’s what people respond to. And the initial reaction from staff has been hugely positive.” Choosing a greener option benefits the individual and the company because there is a direct impact on both tax bills from CO2 emissions. The government is offering individuals a 3% tax concession if a car is categorised as Euro 4 (the emissions standard for all new-build cars which comes into force in April 2006 and covers particulates, CO2, nitrous oxides, etc). This basically means the difference between paying 15% and 18% tax. Launched earlier this year, the Business Travel Initiative (BTI) provides training for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Bedfordshire to focus on the efficient use of transport, fuel, resources and the prevention of congestion and pollution. Supported by Bedfordshire County Council and the European Social Fund, BTI is free of charge to small and medium sized businesses in Bedfordshire. To learn more about BTI and arrange an initial consultation with a Training Coordinator, please use the contact us form on www.btravel.info or contact Steve Macey via email: steve.macey@bedscc.gov.uk.
For further information:
www.btravel.info
steve.macey@bedscc.gov.uk
Contact Steve Macey
