Easy ways to cut the cost of business motoring

With fuel costs predicted to rise for years into the future, businesses and business motorists are going to have to rethink the way they drive for work, according to Lawrence Holland, UK managing director of ultra-light electric vehicle manufacturer Aixam Mega.

Following this summer’s Motor Show the company is seeing its two and four seat Mega City electric vehicles being used in increasing numbers by city centre-based businesses as pool cars, to cut their fuel cost per mile to around 1.5p, compared with around 20p for a standard saloon car.

And Lawrence says there is plenty that every business can do to cut their fuel costs, reduce their carbon emissions, and improve efficiency – whatever vehicles they drive.

“Virtually every business can dramatically reduce the number of miles its employees need to do for work, and they will enjoy cost savings and improved productivity if they do so,” he said.

“One of the easiest things to do is to reduce the number of face-to-face meetings that need to be held. Conference calls and video conferencing can replace quite a number of gatherings - people usually just need time to get used to a different way of doing things.

“They will probably find that the meeting is more business-like and more decisions get made, in a shorter time-frame. Because of the amount of time that can be saved, clients will often be very supportive of the new way of doing things.”

Aixam Mega also suggests diary pooling, so that team members can plan to share some journeys. This will help to reduce the number of vehicles the business uses, cut the amount of ‘dead time’ spent by employees on the road, reduce parking charges and ease congestion and on-the-road carbon and particulate emissions.

Efficient route planning using sat-nav technology can also identify the shortest or least congested routes to help people move around far more efficiently.

“These are all simple, effective ways in which businesses can start to reduce their motoring costs straight away,” said Lawrence Holland.

“These ideas apply equally well to many delivery businesses, which can make major savings through better organisation, by optimising loads and effective route planning.”

Aixam Mega manufactures the Mega City ultra-light electric private vehicle, and the Mega Multitrucks range of ultra-light electric commercial vehicles.

Chargeable from any standard electric socket, the vehicles are exempt from Road Tax and the London Congestion Charge. They are also eligible for free or reduced price parking in some urban locations.

For more information visit mega-electric.co.uk