Company car usage could rise over the course of the winter months, as more people choose to work from offices…
A Mileage Increase this Winter
Fleets are being warned that mileage may increase over the course of winter. This is due to rising energy costs, which may see some employees opt to work from offices instead of from home; a move designed to save money.
Whilst working from home has been an attractive proposition for many people, energy price increases due in October will reverse the trend in some cases. From a fleet perspective, this will have a number of effects. It may increase fuel costs, as well as posing SMR considerations if company vehicles are used consistently. Moreover, compliance and duty of care will once again come into focus as homeworkers begin to commute again. Proper planning, then, will be key on keeping on top of what may have been unexpected costs.
Probably not a ‘Uniform’ Trend
Peter Golding, managing director of FleetCheck, has commented on the possibility of increasing mileage. He said, “this is unlikely to be a uniform trend and will depend very much on how much each individual’s heating bill has risen compared to the fuel cost of their commute – but the sums will undoubtedly add up for some”.
He continued, “the other (effects are) more subtle. Some company car drivers effectively became home workers during the pandemic and their journey to work was really no longer classed as a commute for risk management purposes. That situation could now reverse”.
MOTs: Over Ten Million Cars And Vans Due To Fail – https://autoservefleet.co.uk/latest-news/mots-over-ten-million-cars-and-vans-due-to-fail/
Housebuilders Lobbied Against Mandatory Home Chargers – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/housebuilders-lobbied-against-mandatory-home-chargers/