Rethinking your business’ travel arrangements doesn’t have to be complex. We know that costs are top-of-mind for lots of businesses at the moment, and so many of the tips below could save your business money even while cutting your carbon footprint.
- Engines off - Encouraging your drivers to turn their engines off while they’re not moving will reduce fuel consumption and could save £100s if not £1000s every year. Leaving vehicles running while doing deliveries or stopping to talk also contributes to local air pollution
- Greener commute - Encourage or, better still, incentivise your employees to walk, bike or take public transport (COVID-permitting) into work. Cycle-to-work or season ticket schemes are popular. Emphasise the cost-savings and health benefits of having a more active commute. If none of these are an option, could they carpool?
- Go electric - Consider switching to electric cars or vans, especially if the bulk of your business involves shorter trips. The council is making more electric charging points become available across the borough. Depending on the credentials of your existing fleet, this could also save your business much-needed cash once the Ultra Low Emissions Zone is extended to include parts of Brent in 2021.
- Human-powered - Cargo bikes or e-bikes cost less to run than a van, with no vehicle duty tax or fuel costs. With new cycle lanes springing up around the capital, as well as in Brent, bikes can often avoid congestion and get around quicker.
- Green travel plan - Some businesses may find it helpful to create a Green Travel Plan. This is a document which sets out your ambitions to reduce the environmental impact of doing business. A basic plan might include the following elements:
- Review your current travel arrangements. For example, how many petrol/diesel/electric vehicles are in your fleet, and what travel policies you have in place?
- Set objectives and targets. For example, could you aim for 20% of deliveries to be made by cargo bike by 2022?
- Create an action plan. For example, you could plan to deliver engine-idling awareness training to all of your drivers before the end of the quarter.
- Manage and monitor progress. Think about how you will track progress, collect data and review progress regularly.