GUEST BLOG: What is important when considering car hire for business travellers?

As any corporate traveller knows, how you travel is critical to comfort, employee satisfaction and ultimately productivity. Businesses need to balance the cost of travel and the quality of the experience for their travellers – increasingly important as companies continue to streamline costs. Here are the most important factors to consider when hiring a car for business travellers:

Understand the value of a quality provider to you, your travellers and your organisation 

• The vehicles employees drive whilst on company business are, to a degree, a reflection of the business 
• Never compromise safety through choosing a low quality and corner-cutting rental option
• Quick service, state-of-the-art systems and easy access helplines save time and minimise hassle

Look at the whole cost of the hire including extras such as sat nav, unlimited mileage terms etc

• At first glance one rental option may look cheaper than another however the cost of extras varies significantly and may even be offered free 
• Extras, such as sat nav, may come built into premium models and therefore do not need to be added as a chargeable extra, this can minimise the price differential between premium and economy rentals

Maximise corporate discounts and reward membership schemes

• Most rental companies offer discounts, rewards and benefits for corporate rental and leasing 

• Take advantage of frequent traveller membership schemes
• Look for membership schemes that are cross-sector, for example hotel, airline and other travel industries to earn and use points more easily

Look for branch convenience with a network of branches in the locations you need, that are open at the times you need

• Well established car rental companies are more likely to offer a good spread of branches nationally and internationally, maximising flexibility and convenience as well as enabling a single service provider internationally
• Don’t wait, save time with extended opening times including 24 hour service options
• Consider delivery and collection services for the ultimate in convenience and time-saving 

Consider chauffeur services and hire a driver with your car

• Improve the traveller experience, reducing stress and enabling a more restful journey (and also potentially time to work in the car!) 
• Reduce driver liability and risk of accident with a professional driver service

This post was written by Sixt. If you like what you’ve read and found it interesting, find out more on the Sixt UK Blog (www.sixtblog.co.uk) and Sixt Website (www.sixt.co.uk). Sixt is exhibiting at the Business Travel Show on 25-26 February 2015. Register for a free visitor pass at www.businesstravelshow.com 

GUEST BLOG: Why being green will save your business money

The concept of electric cars is nothing new and perhaps best described as a slow starter but this is set to change and indeed is already changing.

Benefits to the pocket

As a business, the benefits to your bottom line are vital and the electric vehicle comes with many.

Let’s start with fuel costs, per mile it has been calculated to be around 1/3 to 1/4 the cost of petrol and diesel powered vehicles. A saving of approximate 9p per mile which for a business running a fleet of company cars would provide a welcome saving with the added nous of these vehicles being exempt from fuel & vehicle excise duty. Maintenance costs for traditional cars can be costly but as the electric vehicle requires no oil changes maintenance costs will also be reduced.

As well as the obvious savings on fuel and maintenance, employees and employers are exempt from company car tax from their income and National insurance contributions.

It is possible to claim 100% first year enhanced capital allowances (ECA) so the full cost of the car can be allocated against taxable profits in the year the vehicle was purchased.

Benefits to the environment

Good business is about driving efficiency and having a great image. With an electric car you can achieve both these goals just by making the decision to switch.

Although the way in which the electricity is produced to run the vehicles is still of a concern the actual exhaust emissions are zero which is an appealing benefit to both a company from an image perspective and the obvious benefits to the environment. Electric vehicles convert around 59-62% of energy from the grid in to power to the wheels compared to petrol engine vehicles which only convert around 17-21% of the energy created to power them.

The factors outlined are certainly attractive enough for businesses to consider a bold change in this direction and we will see more and more taking the plunge by showing their support for a cheaper, cleaner and more efficient transport strategy.

This article was written by Barry Cooper, Marketing Manager of Sixt rent a car (http://www.sixt.co.uk),  please visit them at the Business Travel Show on stand B917 for more information. Register now to attend - www.businesstravelshow.com