How confident are you that your grey fleet drivers (those employees doing business journeys in their personal cars) are looking after their vehicles?
Recent research suggests as much as a third of drivers have skipped an essential service on their car due to the cost of living crisis.
Young drivers (those aged 18 to 34) appear to be struggling the most as 43% surveyed said they were likely to miss vehicle maintenance to save money.
They were also more likely to drive their vehicle even though it needs essential maintenance. Almost half (46%) of young drivers have done this, compared to one in four drivers overall.
One way you can help your drivers is to offer them a salary sacrifice car. Like a company car, a salary sacrifice car is brand new and fully maintained, with breakdown cover, car tax (VED) and insurance all included in one monthly price.
Drivers pay for this by giving up part of their gross salary. Although they have to pay benefit-in-kind tax, it’s a cost effective way for them to lease a brand new car as it reduces their income tax and National Insurance, and the business makes tax savings too.
Mike Manners, Managing Director, CBVC Vehicle Management, said:
“Offering grey fleet drivers a salary sacrifice car is a great way to help them budget for their motoring costs. Instead of being hit with an unexpected repair bill or having to resort to missing an essential service their costs are spread out.
“This gives you peace of mind that they aren’t putting themselves and other road users at risk by getting behind the wheel of a vehicle which hasn’t been properly maintained. This is important from a duty of care perspective – you have the same legal obligations for grey fleet drivers as company car drivers.
“Salary sacrifice works best with electric vehicles so introducing a scheme is also an opportunity to encourage grey fleet drivers out of an older, diesel or petrol vehicle and into a zero emission one, helping to boost a company’s environmental credentials.”
Do you need help switching your grey fleet drivers?
Call us on 0330 822 4500 and talk to one of our fleet experts.
