Operating a fleet of company vehicles has not been easy in recent years. Rising interest rates, parts shortages and delays, higher energy costs and the challenge of moving to zero-emission motoring has led to unprecedented challenges.
According to Kettering-based Grosvenor, the UK’s largest privately-owned contract hire and fleet management specialist, the situation is unlikely to get easier in 2026, however there are mitigating strategies that can be put in place.
Lee Brown, managing director, argues that companies can do more to take control of their fleet costs by implementing new measures around vehicle choice, cost control, downtime management and looking at business travel in general.
“Most businesses are keen to move to electric vehicles but are struggling with their higher upfront cost,” said Lee. “In some cases this is putting them off making that important transition to emission free motoring.
“The good news is that there is strong competition emerging in the electric car and van sector, with new entrants coming into the UK market at lower price points.
“Many of these are extremely good vehicles, however companies and drivers are often nervous about committing to unknown commodities. Yet manufacturers such as BYD, Leap Motors and many others are building strong aftersales support networks and are shaking up the market with really attractive alternatives and should be taken seriously.
“That aside, it’s also important not to get too deterred by the on road cost of EVs as its more important to look at their whole life cost during their time on your fleet. When you look at overall running costs, you realise that many makes and models are better value than their upfront cost suggests.
“When it comes to controlling vehicle running costs and time off road, modern day connected vehicles offer a whole plethora of data that can be proactively used for better fleet management.
“At Grosvenor, we have a solution called Advanced Remote Connectivity (ARC) that feeds vehicle data into our fleet management systems. Consequently, we can see each vehicle’s dashboard warning lights, service countdowns and fuel/energy usage which enables us to significantly reduce time off road by proactively managing garage visits and taking preventative action to avoid breakdown. This is a game changer, as vehicles spend considerably less time off the road, and it also helps protect vehicle warranties by ensuring that a service is never missed.
“By using technology and Apps, companies can also develop strategies to reduce their reliance on their company cars, further reducing cost. Car sharing Apps, car clubs, e-bikes and scooters and other mobility solutions can result in cost saving strategies that reflect a more modern perspective in getting employees from A to B.
“Our Vista consultancy team is now helping businesses plan a future that involves a combination of business travel options which better meet the expectations of a new, younger generation entering the workplace, many of whom do not have driving licences. They have grown up reliant on Apps, are passionate about sustainability and are far more willing to embrace new flexible ways of travel.
“The outcome is that we are finding new approaches to driving down vehicle fleet costs, using a combination of our expertise, pioneering vision and leading technology.”
