Grey fleet reliance revealed in Europcar report
A Europcar Mobility Group UK study has found that more than four in five businesses rely on the ‘grey fleet’, employees who drive their own vehicles for work.
This was revealed in the Greening the Grey Fleet report, which surveyed 250 motorists who use their own car for business travel.
It found that employees in 81% of UK organisations regularly use their own cars to attend meetings, visit clients and make deliveries.
The research also found that 40% of employees believe their employers rely on the grey fleet more than previously – due partly to the high cost of vehicles and changing work patterns – a quarter are not required to show their driving licences or proof of insurance, while 32% said their employers do not offer any green transport alternatives.
This presents a range of challenges for businesses, including employee duty of care and meeting sustainability targets.
Tom Middleditch, head of electric mobility at Europcar Mobility Group UK, said: “Grey fleet is a major issue for businesses today. It is important that businesses take steps to ensure that their employees are driving safely and sustainably.
“Unfortunately, employers are already facing rising mobility costs so many cannot afford to upgrade or expand their entire fleet to remove the need for grey fleet vehicles.
“In recent years we have seen many of our business customers take a very successful transitional approach, steadily reducing emissions through limiting journeys, alongside testing hybrid and electric alternatives through rental.”
