promoting smarter driving

We accept that sometimes there’s just no alternative to the car. But when your employees do need to drive, you’ll be happy to know that there are ways that you can still save money and help protect our environment.

By promoting ‘greener’ driving to your staff you’ll help them save money on fuel and do your bit to reduce co2 emissions that are impacting on climate change. The Energy Saving Trust can help you get the message across and even offer to part-fund ‘smart driving lessons’ if you have 70 people willing to sign up. Conveniently, companies who can’t find this number amongst their own staff can join forces with their neighbours. Give the Energy Saving Trust a call on 0800 512 012 or visit their website to find out more.

Your fleet

If your company runs a vehicle fleet you can cut down on costs and pollution by ensuring that they meet the highest efficiency standards. Electric, hybrid or LPG vehicles may all be a smarter choice than the standard vehicles you are currently using.

For companies running a fleet of more than 50 vehicles the Energy Saving Trust offer a free consultancy service called a 'Green Fleet Review'.  They will still offer advice and support to for those operating smaller fleets.  Why not visit their transport pages for more details?

However, one of the most efficient ways to utilise your fleet may be to simply get rid of it and switch to a Car Club instead!

Car Clubs

Instead of your organisation owning and maintaining its own fleet of cars, it is often much easier and cheaper to sign up to a car club.

A car club is simply a system of operating ‘pay as you go’ cars. The cars are owned and maintained by a third party and members simply book when they want to use one, swipe your ‘smart card’ on the windscreen and drive away!

The cars can be parked either on your own site, or on nearby streets and can be booked at short notice for periods down to a minimum of half an hour. If your requirements are low you simply book a car for a few hours, otherwise you can reserve sole right-of use during the working day.

Because you only pay for the times you use the cars, and aren’t burdened with tax, insurance or administrative costs car clubs can slash costs compared to running your own fleet.

In Tyne & Wear, Commonwheels, who are Newcastle City Council's and Gateshead Council's preferred car club provider, have vehicles based in a number of locations across those areas. Find out more about their business offering via their website.

It is hoped that car clubs will be extended across Tyne and Wear in the future.

For more useful information, please download the car clubs for businesses leaflet.