BETTER BUSINESS TRANSPORT
The business benefits of reducing the environmental impact of transport apply to every aspect of a firm’s operation. Lower fuel costs, better travel times and employee wellbeing are just a few that will make a difference to your bottom line.
Our society is changing too. Across the UK and Europe infrastructure and policy changes are in place to help people and businesses make better transport decisions.
Here’s our simple guide to better business transport, actions to consider and business benefits. Use this to build your own plan, and read on for more details and links to get your Better Business Transport programme on the move:
Actions to take - more information
Employees
Tax relief for bikes: The UK CycleScheme allows employees to spend up to £1,000 on bikes and equipment, tax-free, making a claimed saving of up to 42 per cent on the overall value.
Cycle incentives:
Some companies charge for car parking spaces and offer employees who walk, cycle and take public transport a ‘green allowance’.
If employees can claim car mileage for business meetings, allow them also to claim for meetings attended by bicycle.
Company car policy: Large organisations are increasingly offering cash in lieu of company cars. Coca Cola UK is one example.
EV charge points: Make sure you switch to a green energy supplier to ensure your EVs are carbon-free
Environmentally friendly taxi firms: Switch to a firm with a strong policy on using hybrid and EVs, such as Royal Cars in Oxford
Haulage and distribution:
Diesel-free fleet: Cities are increasingly likely to ban or restrict diesel vehicles, and your non-compliant vehicles may well become “stranded assets.”
Click here for the Road Haulage Association guide to vehicle emissions policy
Empty leg journeys: 20% of all trucks across Europe have empty leg journeys. Consider fronthauling and backhauling with customers and other local businesses and consolidators. Visit https://www.returnloads.net/ to find empty leg journeys in your marketplace.
Cycle Couriers - Try Pedal and Post in Oxford
Business Strategy
Regional transport strategy: Connecting Oxfordshire: Local Transport Plan 2015-2031 Volume 1: Policy & Overall Strategy pdf. https://consultations.oxfordshire.gov.uk/gf2.ti/f/545058/15967045.1/PDF/-/Connecting_Oxfordshire_vol_1__policy_and_overall_strategy_v2.pdf
Better Business Transport - The overall picture
Air quality is now the No.1 health concern of Londoners and many cities are now actively taking strategies to improve air quality and limit diesel vehicles (in particular). Oxford will introduce a Zero Emission Zone in parts of the city centre in 2020
Health. Being active is one of the most significant impacts people can make to their health. Active Travel -walking, cycling (and taking public transport) can also improve employee productivity and reduce absent days due to illness.
Localisation. When customers and suppliers are nearby, business is enhanced due to proximity and improved environment.
Congestion. Many city centres are getting very congested at rush hour and delivery productivity is reduced. Company time is being wasted in traffic, as well as adding to the traffic problem.
Climate change: In 2015, the transport sector contributed over a quarter of total EU greenhouse gas emissions. This increased +23% above 1990 levels (including aviation, excluding shipping). Emissions need to fall by around two thirds by 2050, (compared with 1990 levels), in order to meet the long-term 60 % greenhouse gas emission reduction target, as set out in the 2011 Transport White Paper. The UK’s emissions target is -80% however.
