The opportunity for on-demand mobility is increasing as employers and their teams shift to a more flexible and varied operational style where employees may choose to work from a range of different locations.
The binary portrayal of hybrid working as being either from one place of work or one home covers a much more complex and nuanced pattern of employee behaviour.
‘Working from home’ can mean working from a holiday location or at a relative’s home. We see this especially with younger workers, who may house share with family or friends and change their place of work to avoid working in their room each and every day.
The same employee may require transport for a business trip from a number of different locations. They may not have access to a private car or to funds to cover the upfront costs of travel before it’s claimed through expenses.
Another consideration is the increasing volume of business travel as workers seek to connect and collaborate in person more often.
As a result, location is a key theme when we speak to businesses about how they can provision flexible, cost-effective and low-emission transport. In short, where will your employees next need mobility?
The geographical range is widening – though in reality, many businesses haven’t sufficiently delved into this aspect.
We’ve always talked about the value of capturing data that enables businesses to forecast where they are most likely to require which types of vehicles and for how long.
This is usually the best way to optimise the mobility plan, even now as vehicle availability has eased up.
Businesses looking to control CO2 as well as cost should be planning how to connect a vehicle to an employee when they need one.
Network coverage and branch location are important, because while it’s certainly possible to pick up and deliver a vehicle anywhere in the UK, the cost in terms of additional miles and emissions can quickly mount up if the branch isn’t close to the employee.
It takes six car trips to deliver one vehicle. The rental vehicle and the ‘chase’ go out to the customer and then make one journey back at each end of the delivery and collection. Another factor is car parking space, or parking fees if there is none available.
There is a lot to be said for encouraging employees to go to their local branch, or to be picked up by their local outlet if the service is available.
Another option is to enrol employees to a car club network where they can just pick up the vehicle close to where they live or work.
Branch staff can discuss employees’ needs in more detail. They can get to know their regular business travellers, talk through vehicles in more detail and encourage people to think of other options like perhaps using an EV.
Delivery and collection can be an effective solution when it’s one of a range of options for accessing a vehicle. Accessibility is key in an increasingly complex landscape of employee mobility.
Paul McCorkell is director of business rental UK & Ireland at Enterprise
