The Government is encouraging us all to get back to work as we gradually shift out of full lockdown Britain.
But if your business wishes you to return to work, how will you restart your commute? Will it be back to ‘normal’?
It’s unlikely: the Government advice is to engage in active travel, and advises people should cycle and walk where possible. It has backed this position with the announcement of a £2bn package to create a new era for cycling and walking as it warns against using public transport.
But what if you live too far away to make that a practical solution and public transport is not appropriate for your journey? Or, indeed, you are rightfully fearful of the possibilities of infection on a crowded train or bus.
The only alternative is to use your own car to drive to your workplace in order to ensure that you remain as free as possible from COVID-19 infection.
Is your car up to scratch?
While taking your personal car to work may keep you away from potential infection on your commute, there is still the question of whether it is serviceable. Older cars are more likely to break down, cost more in fuel and fail to meet the requirements of new Clean Air Zones (called a CAZ), or Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ) designed to improve local air quality.
The Mayor of London, for example, has recently reinstated the clean air ULEZ for Londoners travelling to the capital, effective from 18 May 2020 following its suspension due to the coronavirus outbreak. The daily cost is £12.50 for those vehicles that do not meet the standard.
Car leasing provides an answer to the commute
If you are concerned that your vehicle is too old for commuting to work, or fails to meet the CAZ and ULEZ standards, then leasing is a way to access brand new cars at an affordable cost.
Called Personal Contract Hire (PCH), you pay an initial payment (usually the equivalent of three months’ rental), followed by regular rentals each month. There is no big deposit to find from savings, or high HP-style monthly repayments, which preserves your capital to spend on other items you want, or simply to save for future opportunities.
Instead, leasing makes new cars affordable with the backup of full car recovery should you ever need it, and a maintenance package can be added for full peace of mind so you can easily budget for your motoring.
While you never own the car – it has to be returned at the end of your contract – you also don’t have any of the hassle associated with trying to sell your used car. Instead you can simply sign up for a new lease contract, which ensures you are always driving the cleanest, most fuel efficient and technologically advanced cars – all the time.
Without the need to use public transport, PCH is the new way to a new car in post lockdown Britain.
Want to understand more about leasing?
If you would like to know more about PCH, please call CBVC Vehicle Management on 01283 351200. We will be pleased to help you.
