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The start point for the best source of fleet information |
Leaseplan's 50th birthday this year has prompted us to look back on the key developments that have shaped the industry since the company's beginnings in Amsterdam in 1963.
Throughout the years there have been a number of policies and innovations that have shaped the fleet and vehicle management industry.
For instance, the industry has constantly had to adapt to changing tax policies. In the past, drivers of company cars were actually incentivised to clock-up more business miles, with the tax percentage dropping quite substantially if business mileage exceeded 2500 miles and again at 18,000 miles. In contrast, the current company car tax system, which was introduced in 2002 and has become increasingly stringent ever since, is designed to encourage the use of lower-emission vehicles by taxing an employee based on the carbon dioxide emissions of the company car.
Another significant factor is the technology advancements that have come to redefine the role of fleet management. Investments in IT and software have enabled account managers to access valuable data, which they can use to spot the areas that are costing their customers unnecessary money, thereby improving the efficiency of a fleet.
Developments in the capabilities and popularity of telematics systems in the leasing industry are increasingly enabling us to analyse driver behaviour like never before. As a result, fleet managers can respond to needs for advanced driver training to create a safer, more environmentally conscious fleet.
The next few weeks will bring further change for the future of the fleet industry. Companies are now getting to grips with previously announced policies, which are coming into force in April. On 20 March, the Budget will no doubt bring another round of changes. One thing looks pretty certain though - choosing lower-emissions vehicles is likely to continue to be a key factor in keeping costs low and tax relief high.
Environmental concerns rightly remain an important consideration for the industry. However, while electric vehicles are becoming increasingly common, the success of such technologies at a fleet level will be very much dependent on vehicle whole-life cost, their operating range and an appropriate and wide-reaching infrastructure for vehicle charging.
Only recently Nissan decided to put a hold on its plans to build 50,000 electric cars due to an apparent lack of support from the Government for a nationwide electric vehicle charging network. Over the past 50 years the fleet management industry has had to constantly adapt to Government targets and tax policies while simultaneously accommodating the ever-evolving needs of its customers.
While we face an uncertain economic climate, I believe the industry's resourcefulness will ensure a confident future for fleet management.
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