THE variety of fleet mobility solutions is likely to be reassessed following coronavirus.
As most mobility solutions are based on multi-user asset use, the potential for the virus to be spread more widely becomes an increasing risk.
It means there is likely to be more demand for grey fleet solutions, with the potential for greater PCH penetration within existing fleets.
That’s the belief of fleet software specialist FleetCheck.
Peter Golding, managing director, commented:
“The mobility products that have been promoted to fleets over the last few years as an alternative to existing corporate travel methods are fundamentally designed to get more out of existing transport assets – whether that is car sharing, ride sharing, access to pool vehicles, or increased use of public transport.
“In a world that is coping with coronavirus, all of these options become much more problematic. They are inevitably much riskier and potentially dangerous than the one driver, one vehicle company car or van model that they seek to replace.”
Golding said that at least in the short-term there would be a rise in grey fleet usage and an increasing interest in single user transport.
“It could also be that we look towards a wider range of single-user transport solutions, especially for shorter journeys. Certainly, there are widespread reports of interest in e-bikes and mopeds, it is possible that Renault Twizy-style one or two-person personal EVs could become popular.
“Employers may need to start thinking about how these changes fit into their operations and what changes they need to consider. This may include everything from considering the risk management implications of using an e-bike or moped on a local business journey to upgrading your fleet policy to take grey fleet operations more seriously.”
Ralph Morton is the leading journalist in the leasing broker sector and editor of Broker News, the website which provides information and news for BVRLA-registered leasing brokers. He also writes extensively on the fleet and leasing market in both the UK and Europe.
