Fleet size 400 (17 vans & 383 cars)
WSP set up a salary sacrifice scheme with Venson. How is it working for you? Was it worth the effort, and is there as much reporting administration as we are led to believe?
Our salary sacrifice scheme is still in place and is working well. This year sees the start of replacement cars under the scheme and I am already getting asked “when can I place my order?” so it appears the employees are happy with it too.
I think that the admin issues have been overstated. There is no doubt that when we implemented the scheme we took the time to properly consult and explain it – with road shows at all our major offices. We did devote resources to launching the scheme and that was vital.
For us it was a case of replacing one set of procedures with different ones but overall it is not really more onerous. You do need to ensure that proper agreements are in place for the salary surrender before you order a car, but previously we would ensure that the employee had signed off and confirmed that the car spec was what they wanted, and that they were aware of the tax implications of their choice, etc.
What are the two main fleet issues for you?
My main concern at present is to be ready for the “peak” replacements due at the three year anniversary of our salary sacrifice later this year and to try to be sure that employees are aware of the changing tax situation that will apply over the next three years that they have their car – that is, the 3% diesel supplement withdrawn, and 2% uplift for a given emission level rather than the 1% they are used to.
Fuel costs continue to be a problem. Currently there has been a welcome dip in prices but I have no doubt that will change and I am not sure that the Advisory Fuel Rates – which we use – are keeping pace with the rising costs as well as they have in the past.
Do you run alternatively fuelled vehicles on your fleet – what’s your take on electric vehicles?
We do have a number of hybrids on the fleet and have demoed electric cars Nissan LEAF, Renault Fluence and even a Twizy. I see a real future for plug-in hybrids/range extended vehicles , although the price is an issue with these, and I can see that electric cars are ideal where their use is a city centre application. Range anxiety is a real problem with electrics cars but there is no doubt that traditionally fuelled cars will be increasingly expensive to run so alternatives will be needed and we must encourage their development
Time for a hobby outside of work?
Recently I have spent a lot of time visiting National Trust properties as I was bought membership as a birthday present, and have started exploring antique centres. I also collect lighters dating from the pre-war years and have become fascinated with this subject.