Stantec UK is phasing out its current company car scheme and switching to a flexible benefit allowance that includes access to salary sacrifice through Fleet Evolution.

Fleet Evolution founder and managing director Andrew Leech

The firm, an international services provider to the design and consulting industry, has told employees it does not intend to support a traditional company car fleet beyond the end of their current lease agreements.

Instead, eligible employees will receive a flexible benefit allowance which they can choose to use towards more sustainable travel options. This includes the Fleet Evolution salary sacrifice scheme which will encourage employees to replace petrol and diesel ICE vehicles with electric and hybrid alternatives.

Employees will be able to lease up to two vehicles for two to four years. Subject to surveys, each leaseholder will have an EV charge point installed at their property, and for every five leases, there will be a charge point installed at a Stantec UK office, ensuring employees can charge while at work and alleviate range anxiety.

And where there are longer lead times for electric or hybrid vehicles, short-term hire arrangements will be offered for interim periods.

Stantec said it was changing its fleet arrangements in response to the global pandemic – and employees’ revised ways of working – along with an increased environmental awareness; it’s committed to new carbon reduction objectives and targets.

So far, the response to this new scheme has been positive, with 21% of current leaseholders either agreeing to or expressing an interest in a new electric or hybrid vehicle.

Gill Blandin-Ellis, human resources director, Stantec, said: “We’re very proud to launch this new scheme which focuses on rebranding and reframing our offer to employees with the environment in mind.

“The aim is to encourage further behavioural changes within our own operations to support our climate change commitments and targets. We look forward to more sustainability initiatives to drive forward a focus on protecting the environment.”

Fleet Evolution founder and managing director Andrew Leech added: “This new scheme for Stantec UK employees delivers multiple benefits to those who take it up, including zero-emission vehicles and low tax bills.

“It also brings multiple benefits to the employer, saving national insurance, reducing the grey fleet risk and a providing a marked reduction in the corporate carbon footprint.”