Fleet profile
with company vehicles. They also offer a salary sacrifice option for those who qualify. The fleet structure is tiered, with a clear grading system from level 1 to level 10, where level 10 is the highest. Alternatively, if they drive fewer than 10,000 business miles per year, they may choose to take cash and provide their own vehicle. Additionally, about six months ago, Lindsay explains the fleet introduced a salary sacrifice scheme through Tusker, to enable employees to utilise a discounted electric vehicle, the scheme is available to all employees who have been with the company for more than three months. “We’ve had a great response so far and are now offering the same benefit to family members of our employees, provided they meet the national minimum wage criteria.”
Hitting targets, reaching goals As a fleet manager, Leah Lindsay is committed to advancing the company’s sustainability goals, particularly as they work towards achieving net-zero carbon by 2030. With the total fleet already 71 per cent ultra-low emission vehicles, including 38 per cent zero-emission vehicles, Lindsay is now focused on helping drivers recognise the crucial role EVs play in building a greener future. “A key part of that is increasing awareness of the benefits of EVs and how they contribute to our broader sustainability objectives,” she explains.
Having driven an EV for five years without encountering the common issues often associated with electric cars – such as charging difficulties or battery degradation – Lindsay is well-positioned to challenge misconceptions. “Despite my positive experience, many drivers still have reservations, often fueled by negative press or misunderstandings. They might assume I’m just trying to sell them something to meet targets, which makes it harder to change their mindset,” she admits.
To address this, Lindsay has started organising informal “fireside chats”, where drivers can openly share their real-world EV experiences. “The aim is to help drivers understand the real- world benefits and experiences of driving electric vehicles. There’s often a divide between those in company cars and those in traditional vehicles, and bridging that gap is crucial.”
Additionally, the fleet has launched a new benefit allowing all employees – not just those
“It’s something that just came naturally to me, and when I started working with fleet managers, I knew that was the path I wanted to pursue.”
with company cars – to order a home charging point through our online scheme. The company pays for the charge point upfront, and employees can pay it back over 12 months. “It’s been well- received,” Lindsay says, “and it’s a great way to support our team while also making EV ownership more accessible.”
Lindsay also emphasises the importance of confronting negative EV press directly. “There’s a lot of misinformation out there and it infuriates me, so I want to show drivers that driving an EV can be a smooth, enjoyable experience – one that aligns with our company’s sustainability goals.” Her ultimate goal is to help drivers see the positive impact that EVs can have on both the environment and their personal driving experience, especially as the company approaches its 2030 sustainability milestones.
Looking ahead, my ambition is that we move to an electric-only fleet, this will pose some challenges and will need to be phased to overcome the issues of availability and range limitations. For vans, availability is often an issue or the range isn’t suitable, making them unfit for purpose. That’s a sticking point for us, but I am proud of us being this far ahead at this point, she adds.
Money, money, money
Five years ago, the fleet transitioned from contract hire to finance leasing with Holman, aiming to realise cost savings. However, the true impact of the switch wasn’t clear until the end of their first 48-month cycle. “When we evaluated the results of the case study, it clearly reflected the improvements we’d made,” says Lindsay. “Overall, this shift has been very positive, helping streamline our operations and better manage the fleet. It’s a significant and encouraging step forward.” As Lindsay and her team continue to look for ways to improve, they’ve focused on navigating the major shift from ICE vehicles to fully electric ones. This transition has brought its own challenges, particularly concerning safety, given the power and instant acceleration of electric vehicles. Within the first few months of drivers switching to EVs, there was an increase in speeding and accidents. To address this, Lindsay’s team added a short video to their risk management platform for drivers transitioning to EVs. The video highlights key differences, such as more powerful braking and acceleration, to ensure drivers understand the unique driving dynamics of these vehicles.
www.businesscar.co.uk | March/April 2025 | 19
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