Carillion Fleet Management manages around 3,000 cars on its internal vehicle fleet and is encouraging drivers to consider the environmental and financial benefits of choosing a cleaner car when the time comes to change their vehicle.

Drivers can take advantage of financial incentives offered by the company in return for downsizing one grade on their new company car. Carillion has also identified specific models that qualify for ‘Green Star Car’ status, meaning the vehicle has the lowest CO2 emissions in its class.

Not only is this helping Carillion to lower its overall fleet emissions, it also means drivers can enjoy lower fuel bills through better fuel economy, plus a reduction in Benefit in Kind tax bills from cutting their vehicle emissions.

Bob Dunnett, managing director of Carillion Fleet Management, said: “It’s all part of our efforts to encourage drivers to think more about the costs of running a car, while still providing a vehicle that fits with our health and safety offering.”

Essential users are offered a choice of Ford or Volkswagen vehicle, with a wider mix for user choosers – but all with the aim of reducing emissions and increasing fuel economy.

“We give our employees a good choice of vehicles while also ensuring that we are making the right choice for the business,” added Bob.

“Our goal has been to reduce our CO2 emissions by 50% between 2007 and 2012, and we are making good progress towards this. Almost all our vehicles are now below 160g/km but we are actively encouraging drivers to opt for sub 110, 120 and 130g/km vehicles.

“Recent developments in engine technology mean we are able to do this without asking drivers to sacrifice comfort, refinement and equipment.”

Case Study 1 – Yohan Edwards, engineer

Vehicle you used to have? Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi (’07 reg) – 100k miles
Vehicle you now have? Audi A3 1.6 TDi (Green Star Car on Carillion list)
What Carillion band is it in? Grade E (it’s a Green Star Car thanks to its low emissions)
Current mpg? 55mpg
CO2? 109g/km
Number of miles per year? 35,000
Typical journey? Motorway journeys from Milton Keynes to Luton

“I’ve upgraded from a Focus to an A3 – one of the Green Star Cars on Carillion’s list. It’s really well equipped, safe and practical – with good performance and fuel economy and affordable BIK tax. It also comes with Stop/Start technology for reduced emissions, something Carillion is keen to promote within the company.”

Case Study 2 – Peter Miles, managing quantity surveyor, Carillion Building North Core

Vehicle you used to have? Ford Mondeo 2.2TDCi
Vehicle you now have? Ford Focus Econetic 1.6 TDCi
What Carillion band is it in? Grade F (entitled to a Grade D, so it represents a two grade shift)
Current mpg? I’m getting a minimum 56mpg urban and 65mpg on motorways (previous car was min 35-40mpg in urban environments and up to 50mpg on a run)
CO2? 104g/km
Number of miles per year? Approximately 16-17k miles
Typical journey? I’m in the office two or three days a week, which is about 8 miles away. I’m also in Newcastle a couple of days a week – another 65 miles each way from Leeds.
Financial incentive – approx per year? £1000

“I’ve had it for three or four months now and I can see the benefits, starting with a tax bill which is obviously reduced, at approximately £80 a month. It’s reliable, comfortable on motorway journeys and is probably the bigger of the family cars on the list. I’ve got three children all needing booster seats too, so it needed to be spacious and a practical design. There’s slightly less power than in the Mondeo obviously, but otherwise it suits us really well, both as a working vehicle and as a family car, and the financial benefits more than outweigh any slight negatives.”

Case Study 3 – Pat Brown, account manager, Carillion Fleet Management

Vehicle you used to have? Vauxhall Vectra SRI
Vehicle you now have? Ford Fiesta Titanium 1.6TDCi
What Carillion band is it in? Grade G
Current mpg? 47.3
CO2? 110g/km
Number of miles per year? On average 38,000
Typical journey? Travelling to customers across the UK, mileage obviously varies day to day
Financial incentive – approx per year? £1500

“The car is very well designed, practical, economical and suitable as a small family car as I’m married with two young children. It’s also very safe and comfortable; just as good as a larger car to my mind, which is essential for the long journeys I regularly use it for.”

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