DSTL tackles grey fleet with one of the UK’s largest on-site car clubs

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) has saved an estimated 372,000 miles with vehicle deliveries and collections in a single year after deploying almost 100 Enterprise Car Club vehicles at its premises.

One of the UK’s largest business car club fleets, the vehicles are based at three of DSTL’s locations in Wiltshire and Hampshire.

The significant cut in mileage resulted in a saving of more than 100 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions based on the business travel of an average diesel car.

Employees at the executive agency of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) can opt for public transport for their daily commute, while having access to vehicles at work for essential business travel, helping to reduce grey fleet travel.

Furthermore, the entire DSTL workforce can enrol in the virtual on-street network provided by Enterprise Car Club, giving them access to more than 1,500 vehicles across the UK.

John Barber, principal estates contract manager at DSTL, said: “We are incredibly proud of the collective effort and collaboration that has led to this remarkable outcome.

“The emission savings resulting from the expansion of our dedicated Enterprise Car Club programme exemplify the immense potential of business car clubs in driving positive environmental change.”

Barber explained that one of the key advantages to having the vehicles on site is that there is a lesser need to transport vehicles to and from the rental branches.

“This reduction in miles travelled not only contributes to the improvement of local air quality but also helps to ease traffic congestion, particularly during peak travel times, within the areas where we operate,” he added.

“These benefits extend beyond our own operations, positively impacting our local communities and fostering a more sustainable transportation system.”

DSTL’s car club fleet comprises an increasing number of electric vehicles (EVs), says Enterprise, allowing employees to opt for zero-emission transportation options that are better for the environment.

Mark Dillon, national strategic account manager at Enterprise Mobility, said: “In our collaborative partnership with DSTL, we have placed great emphasis on customising our package to deliver a range of benefits, including convenience, flexibility and more sustainable business travel solutions that provide value for money.

“Our consultative approach combined with state-of-the-art technology has been instrumental in ensuring that our offerings align with DSTL’s evolving needs.

“We have taken the time to understand their organisation, the impact on the broader community, and environmental considerations to create a partnership that truly supports DSTL’s journey towards more sustainable business travel.”

In addition to the on-site fleet, DSTL employees can rent vehicles for business travel through Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s network, with branches located within 10 miles of 93% of the UK population.

Bookings are made through the Enterprise Travel Direct (ETD) platform – a journey assessment and booking system that combines daily rental, car club and pool car services.

The platform enables employees to select their preferred mode of business travel based on real-time availability.

The dedicated Enterprise Car Club vehicles are also equipped with telematics technology to capture data on utilisation, mileage and emissions, which helps tailor DSTL’s approach to business travel.

For instance, by reviewing journey distances, DSTL can determine the number of vehicles that could transition to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in the future.

As part of the bespoke package, Enterprise Mobility assigns somebody for on-site vehicle servicing and maintenance, which includes cleaning and minor repairs.

For more from Enterprise on the advantages of on-site car clubs and its wider mobility offering for fleets, read our interview with Andy Bland, UK head of business rental at Enterprise Mobility.