A new, flexible ‘Go EV’ car benefit scheme has been described as the “ultimate short cut to carbon reduction” by Willmott Dixon after enabling large numbers of its drivers to go electric in a short space of time.

Andy Short, commercial director at CLM, said the scheme offers employers a faster, more cost-effective route to sustainability

Delivered in partnership by industry specialists Knowles Fleet and CLM Fleet Management, the Lifestyle Car Choice solution was deployed by the UK construction and property services company in January 2021 and, according to chief financial officer Graham Dundas, the scheme has “surpassed expectations”.

“Our ambitious sustainability targets to reach net zero by 2030 mean moving all 2,000-plus employees to fully electric cars and cutting business mileage by 65%,” said Dundas.

“Lifestyle Car Choice has provided us with the ultimate short cut to carbon reduction. In just 12 months, almost 400 vehicles were ordered and 95% were battery electric or plug-in hybrids. The result is a significant reduction in our average fleet emissions, plus huge cost savings for the business.”

The scheme has been specifically designed to tick three major boxes for businesses: staff satisfaction and safety, carbon reduction and cost saving.

It’s said to differ from other solutions on the market by recognising the different financial and practical constraints many employees live with and so offering a huge choice of lower-emission vehicles – not just fully electric vehicles.

It also delivers various ways to pay through a multi-leasing company funding approach that guarantees the lowest car quotes available.

This approach is believed to engage staff and greatly increase scheme take-up, delivering increased cost and carbon reduction benefits for businesses.

Knowles Fleet consultant Colin Knowles explained: “We’re 100% behind the transition to electric cars which is exactly why we advocate the flexible approach Lifestyle Car Choice offers. EV-only salary sacrifice schemes work very well for some businesses but cost and practical barriers to electric vehicles still exist for many drivers, which can limit scheme take up.

“Offering a wider choice of lower emission cars plus alternative ways to pay encourages more staff into the scheme, creating valuable carbon and cost savings that would otherwise be lost.”

Lifestyle Car Choice’s expert team also takes care of all scheme administration, relieving the pressure on HR, payroll and drivers, with full management reporting ensuring every scheme stays on track.

Andy Short, commercial director at CLM, added: “Our partnership with Knowles Fleet combines decades of industry experience and we firmly believe, backed by our customers’ experience, that Lifestyle Car Choice offers employers a faster, more cost-effective route to sustainability.”