Managers Favour Green Company Cars

02/06/2011

By Gemma Roberts

Hi-tech gadgets and luxuries could be taking a back seat when it comes to choosing a company car as more employers are considering environmental benefits.

The most important decision for fleet managers appears to be the amount of “benefit in kind” tax they have to pay, according to Volvo's recent report of more than 250 fleet operators.

The level of luxury the car has to offer is the second most important factor.

The survey also shows that 7 per cent of fleets are planning to use incentives to encourage employees to consider more eco-friendly cars.

But Selwyn Cooper, Volvo Car UK's national sales manager, said the right car choice list should mean companies won't have to adopt this strategy.

"Drivers don't want to compromise on specification, comfort and driveability by going for a green model.

“High-spec, sporty-looking, low-emission models are increasingly becoming more readily available which, if made available across the company car choice list, shouldn't force organisations to incentivise drivers.

“Companies should automatically see an improved take-up without having to finance the change as well as benefiting from a lower corporate carbon footprint," he added.