8 in 10 Fleet200 companies to monitor grey fleets more closely in 2012

According to a study, ‘Grey Fleet Review’, which was published today by Trimble, in association with Sewells Research & Insight, the majority (83 percent) of Britain’s largest fleet-based companies are concerned by their ‘grey fleet’ operations and intend to make changes during 2012 in order to control business costs and reduce the environmental impact of these vehicles.

Trimble looked at the Fleet200 group, who are from a range of industry sectors and run 200 of the largest fleets in the UK, and collectively spend more than £1 billion annually on fuel alone.

The Trimble study demonstrates that even these Fleet200 companies are struggling to accurately monitor their grey fleets. Among these organisations, who often invest in highly sophisticated fleet management systems across their operational fleets, a quarter are not monitoring even the basic mileage of employee-owned vehicles used for business purposes.

Many of the companies that do monitor grey fleet mileage will base calculations on expense claims, as opposed to a more accurate measurement system. Therefore a significant number may be missing an opportunity to utilise this information in order to make cost or green improvements.

Moving forward however, the study revealed that 42 percent of Britain’s Fleet200 companies are looking to limit the mileage of their grey fleets in 2012, while over half (52 percent) intend to look at alternatives. The use of rental vehicles is also being considered by some organisations, but only 4 percent of the Fleet200 companies are looking to eliminate their grey fleets altogether.

Mark Forrest, general manager of Trimble’s Field Service Management Division, said: “The recent hike in fuel prices has once again highlighted the on-going struggle in the UK faced by even the biggest businesses that rely on transport as part of their core operations. UK businesses can no longer afford to ignore their grey fleets and it is encouraging that many are looking to monitor their grey fleets more closely. For these larger businesses that are already utilising fleet management and telematics to manage fuel use, they may consider using this information and experience for their grey fleet management to ensure that this type of business travel can operate as efficiently and cost-effectively as their company-owned vehicles.”