Fleets cover more miles during second and third lockdowns

Commercial vehicle usage remined closer to ‘normal’ during the second and third lockdowns when compared to the first, according to data from Quartix.

While mileage travelled by Quartix UK customers during mid-March to May was around -50% of the norm, businesses have since successfully adapted to keep activity levels high throughout the following lockdowns.  

Quartix data shows a steady improvement in fleet activity throughout the summer prevailed and in September 2020, fleet activity had hit normal levels once again.

Early December showed above normal activity levels, although a steep decline marks the Christmas holiday period. Quartix said data from January 2021 proves this was temporary, with activity returning to previous levels within days. 

The company stated that a seasonality, and a degree of fluctuation to the customer base, inevitably affects these statistics, but the data does indicate a “reassuring picture” for a wide range of businesses in the UK. 

During the first lockdown period harsh challenges were posed for many, upturning how businesses could operate and causing many of those operations to cease. 

The second and third national lockdowns show far less impact on business fleet activity - hinting toward successful new ways of working that allowed businesses to continue functioning, while complying with government safety measures. 

As demand for services declined in the Spring, many businesses suffered a financial loss. Once restrictions were eased and business could safely resume, it may have encouraged an activity boom; Businesses and customers alike were making up for lost time, harbouring a determination to complete work after the recent hiatus. The surge of activity in the summer was not only the result of the lifted restrictions, but also people uniting with a will to continue business and drive the economy forward.