Paul McCorkell's blog: How 2023 can be the year for smarter employee travel
Date:
12 December 2022
Enshrining smarter travel at the heart of business mobility has never been more important.
While many businesses are still coping with the pandemic's wake, we're also now working through a cost-of-living crisis and the imminent prospect of recession.
Against this backdrop, every fleet - regardless of size and whether private or public sector - will understandably be looking to prioritise its 2023 travel budget to maximise value.
But while smarter employee travel must undoubtedly encompass cost efficiencies, it should also take the most sustainable and best-practice approach.
Fortunately, a lot of smarter travel comes from small, thoughtful 'hacks.'
For one, it's worth replacing any pool cars that are coming to the end of their life with dedicated car club vehicles.
Our data shows that this switch frequently results in a reduction in the amount of business miles undertaken annually as well as the number of cars on site, which brings obvious bottom line and sustainability benefits.
It's equally important to promote active travel as employees are far more likely to walk or cycle if they are no longer required to use their own vehicles to commute to work.
Any plan that truly aims to initiate smarter travel must also be based firmly upon relevant, recent and highly-accurate data to create a bespoke and economical strategy for employees.
Technological advancements and telematics are already playing an increasingly important role here by ensuring the right vehicle for each job being deployed.
This data can shine a guiding light on whether the time is right to migrate company drivers to EVs, with their proven cost and carbon-reducing benefits.
Compliance and booking platforms like Enterprise Travel Direct (ETD) also enable detailed data capture on business travel, which save fleets money by ensuring they make the best-informed decision about any vehicle chosen prior to travelling.
These, as well as signing employees up to car club membership, are invaluable in enabling joined-up journeys and reducing the grey fleet of employees who still use their personal cars and vans for work.
Organisations can also look to shift more journeys to EVs.
The UK's EV fleet is growing and rental businesses are building expertise on how to use EVs effectively for longer as well as shorter trips - plus electric commercial vehicles as well.
A final point is that it's important to revamp travel policies so they're fit for the future.
There are consultative partners that are able to offer solutions for businesses dealing with the new ways of hybrid and remote working.
It's evident that 2023 should be the year that fleets scrutinise their employee travel plans to identify potential cost savings as well as decarbonisation.
The good news is that a process of small, carefully-thought-out steps can lead to a much larger shift in mobility habits and behaviours.
Paul McCorkell is director of business rental UK & Ireland at Enterprise
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