Make Your Business ULEZ-Proof Anywhere

Sadiq Khan

Thom Groot, the Co-Founder and CEO of The Electric Car Scheme, has written a guest article. He gives some handy advice for companies struggling with ULEZ.

London's ULEZ will cover the entire city in three months.

In outer London, one in five drivers will be charged a fee for driving their older vehicle. They can either buy a newer car to avoid the fee or use public transportation. Some may also opt to upgrade to an electric car.

Businesses in London and beyond must prepare for the upcoming shift and how it will affect their workers and clients. Many regions across the UK are implementing different types of clean air zones due to worries about asthma, premature death, and climate change caused by older vehicles. It is essential to consider taking action before it is too late.

Ensuring Staff Commute To Work

Make sure you provide transportation for your staff. They need to get to your business every day.

Driving into London through the outskirts that used to be logical a few years ago may not be anymore.

First, check if public transport is available to your business. Discover the closest bus stops or transit nodes and inform your staff. Ensure they know how to reach the location.

Public transport can cost a lot of money in London. Old cars can also make it hard to pay for a season ticket. If you help subsidize public transport, it can be tax efficient for the employee. A salary sacrifice scheme for cycling to work can also help employees get to work cheaply.

Get News Updates Delivered To You

Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest business news. Our readers say it's the most influential. Get it in your inbox every week.

If you give us your information, you're okay with us keeping and working with your data according to our privacy statement.

Thanks For Joining Us!

You will get the Newsletter every week. It is called Business Leader.

Embracing Electric Cars For A Head Start

You don't have to have an electric car for ULEZ. However, there might be a chance that the rules will lead to it as petrol-fueled vehicles are prohibited from sale in 2030. Oxford is now implementing a "ZEZ" where petrol or diesel vehicles are not allowed in the city centre during the day without paying a fee.

London won't launch electric cars right away. But it's important to start using them now. Otherwise, you'll be left behind when they become popular.

As a business owner, you can benefit from electric cars in many ways. Electric cars can save money on fuel costs and maintenance. You can also reduce your carbon footprint and promote sustainability. Electric cars can be used for company transportation or even as a delivery vehicle. Investing in electric cars can also bring positive publicity to your business.

You can provide electric cars to your employees through a salary sacrifice scheme. They can lease a car with their pre-tax earnings, which can save them lots of money depending on their income. By using my company, employees saved an average of £12,000 over the lease's lifetime, and it's free for their employers.

Your business can benefit from installing charging ports in your carpark for staff and customers. Many people without garages in places like London will appreciate the option to charge their cars outside of their homes. Having charging ports can attract the increasing number of people switching to electric cars and support your staff. It's best to get ahead of the game and install chargers before many other businesses do the same.

Speak To Clients On Best Routes

Not every customer will change to an EV and some could quit driving because of ULEZ.

Before August, plan the best public transportation routes to your business from different places. Is there a major transit stop nearby within a five-minute walk? Is there a bus stop just outside your door?

Thom Groot is the Co-Founder and CEO of The Electric Car Scheme.

Tell customers about alternative ways to reach your business before August. Email them clear instructions. People who drive to your business may not know that public transport is an option.

Make your business ready for ULEZ. It's not just a good idea now, but also helps businesses operate sustainably. Scope 3 emissions are a part of this conversation, which includes your staff's commute. Being greener puts you ahead of the curve, so start now.

Read more
Similar news
This week's most popular news