Alison Bell, operations director at Venson Automotive Solutions, helps SME fleets with simple initiatives for a greener fleet and enviable CSR credentials.

Alison Bell, operations director of Venson Automotive Solutions

With small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) accounting for 61% of employment in the UK last year, small fleets can make a big difference in reducing the UK’s carbon footprint. While large corporates often have Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) ingrained into their DNA with voluminous eco policies, many smaller businesses, especially with fleets, can find the lack of time and resource needed to go green daunting.

But time-poor SMEs can be emboldened with some easily implemented steps for managing their fleet and wider workplace, which can have a significant impact on the environment.

It is important to remember that even taking small steps, like reviewing your grey fleet, adding electrified vehicles to options lists and motivating employees to change their driving habits are simple, yet impactful changes that any business can introduce.

Of course, there have already been many pandemic-induced changes that have helped to reduce the carbon footprint of the SME fleet. Working from home and blended working looks set to continue for many, helping to lessen emissions. As certain fleet drivers reduce their mileage, this could open the door for the uptake of EVs. Whilst range anxiety and lack of workplace charging have historically been obstacles, these might be viewed differently with fewer journeys made and employees who are able to easily charge at home and charging less frequently.

Granted, the upfront cost of EVs may raise eyebrows amongst smaller business owners but the total cost of ownership (TCO) should be considered. For example, EV’s have fewer moving parts, contributing to lower maintenance costs, meaning the TCO of an EV is favourable compared to the TCO of an internal combustion engine (ICE).

Keeping a watch on grey fleet usage is paramount in reducing the carbon footprint for smaller fleets too. On average, grey fleet vehicles are older, less safe and more polluting than alternatives, such as company or pool cars, so making simple changes that will help make grey fleet a last resort for staff can help reduce grey miles.

For those employees who choose to opt out of the company car scheme, motivation to reduce miles could include making low emission daily hire vehicles available, formulating mileage rates that are realistic and not an incentive to drive more miles, and encouraging the use of a pool car or car sharing for trips with colleagues.

With fluctuating fuel prices, more people are thinking about how their driving behaviour can save pounds at the pump, happily resulting in a reduced carbon footprint. Getting employees engaged in changing their driving habits, either with expert driver training on reducing fuel consumption, or just common-sense tips, is key. Fuel efficient driving tips can be easily researched and communicated, as can the use of smart navigation apps which use live traffic information to help drivers avoid congested roads, getting them to their destination via the most fuel-efficient route and minimising wasted mileage.

It’s not just about leveraging opportunities of an eco-friendlier fleet though. SMEs can easily make social and environmental differences in the wider workplace too. Investigating green energy providers, sponsoring or encouraging staff engagement with local environmental projects and promoting recycling in the workplace are all easy wins.

As we get closer to the Government’s target of reaching net zero by 2030 even the smallest businesses are faced with increasing pressure to integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting into their practices and business models. You don’t need an all-singing, all-dancing tome of a policy. Every little helps. Remember, just because a business is small, they can still make a significant difference.