01732 759725
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company vehicles per employee and try to
get as much value for money as possible!”
Matt Goodall:
“We always consider
the impact of environmental issues when
purchasing vehicles, but we balance this
with the fuel efficiency and tax implications
for the company and employee. Cost, of
course, is a factor, but given that these
vehicles provide better MPG and tax
implications, you have to consider the
whole picture.”
Terry Henderson:
“For us, both
environmental impact and cost are high
priorities. We tend to look at low CO2
emissions versus the whole life cost. In the
end, the decisions we make are a balance
of the two factors.”
Derek Russell:
“For most medium-
sized businesses, cost is always going to
feature as a major consideration. But as
environmental issues have been creeping
up the agenda for our corporate managed
service clients, they are naturally becoming
an internal talking point, too.”
Is reducing your carbon footprint as
important as the headline cost and
benefit in kind tax implications for
employees?
Andrew Jones:
“As mentioned above, a
car’s carbon footprint is just as important
as its cost, but for very different reasons.
Motivation is key to the retention of key
employees and cars are always extremely
emotive. Whilst an environmentally friendly
car might tick the company’s ‘green’ box it
has to be attractive enough for the driver
to be motivated to drive it every day for
three years until the next replacement
comes along! Our environmental policy
will ensure that all emissions are offset
by purchasing carbon credits to fulfil our
carbon neutral target.”
Tony Wills:
“Yes; we aim to be as
environmentally friendly and as efficient
as possible. This relates not only to vehicle
emissions but also to associated aspects,
including customer response routing and
call planning to reduce the overall distance
travelled.”
Mark Smyth:
“Our Environmental
Management System tracks ways to make
on-going improvements and our vehicle
fleet is an obvious target. Employees also
influence this, as the tax implications can
be considerable, dependent on the choice
of vehicle provided to our employees. It’s
all about striking the right balance for
the environment, the employee and the
business.”
Sam Elphick:
“I would say that reducing
our carbon footprint is just as important
as the headline cost/benefit in kind tax
implications for our employees. Although
we provide a vehicle for our employees,
it is massively important to ensure they
completely understand the cost to them,
which is why we try to approve employees’
economical vehicle choices – for them and
our company.”
Matt Goodall:
“Reducing our carbon
footprint is just as important as the cost
and tax benefits. Generally, a smaller
carbon footprint leads to greater efficiency
and reduced tax implications in any case.”
Terry Henderson:
“Reducing carbon
footprint is just as important as the headline
cost and benefit in kind tax implications for
staff. When running a fleet of cars, even
small reductions in CO2 produce a cost
benefit and the BIK system is set up to force
vehicles with high CO2 emissions off the
road. That said, we take a responsible view
and aim to reduce our carbon footprint
across all aspects of our operations.”
Derek Russell:
“Today, the carbon
footprint of printing estates is a
measurable that corporate clients ask
us to report on. Because our teams are
exposed to this mind-set, it’s becoming
just as important for them that we take an
environmental approach to the running of
our business.
“Headline costs are without doubt
important, but the fact that we’re
constantly aware of, and being reminded
of, the damage caused to our environment
naturally guides us into considering
emissions when looking at vehicles. Over
the next few years, and as a result of the
recent VW scandal, vehicle manufacturers
will be more focused on demonstrating
the environmental viability of their own
products. We’ll all benefit longer term.”
In a perfect world, if you could
choose just one car, what would it be
and why?
Andrew Jones:
“It hasn’t been built yet.
But as soon as a hybrid Ferrari with zero
emissions and the price tag of a Mondeo
comes onto the market, we will be in
heaven! It will also need to come with the
option of a tow bar or estate model for our
engineers!”
Tony Wills:
“That depends. My personal
choice would be unaffordable on a
company-wide basis. We have selected
VW in the past as our fleet supplier, but in
light of recent events this may change in
the future.”
Mark Smyth:
“The perfect vehicle
would be electric, to reduce costs and
environmental impact, and have a
reasonable purchase price, a significant
range and a large boot space. Four wheel
drive would be a bonus for the occasional
harsh winter. Not sure any manufacturer
has this!”
Sam Elphick:
“Difficult question! I do
quite like the way the world is changing
and how electric cars are becoming much
more common, especially when walking
around the city centre where you can see
vehicles charging. I would be open to using
an electric vehicle if the charge lasted long
enough, and if it did, I would definitely go
for the BMW i8.”
Matt Goodall:
“If it was for work, the
latest Transit Custom Crew Van Limited is
the perfect choice; it offers space, good
economy and is very well appointed.
For me personally, it would be a 1958
Plymouth Fury (as in the film Christine).
I love that car!”
Terry Henderson:
“BMW 3 Series Hybrid.
Super low emissions and a quality brand.”
Our
environmental
policy will
ensure that
all emissions
are offset by
purchasing
carbon credits
to fulfil our
carbon neutral
target.
...continued
Sam Elphick,
Sales Manager,
Lex Business Equipment Ltd:
Mark Smyth,
Operations Director,
Vision
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