CSR: Responsible Fleets do more

Paris, 6th of September 2019

CSR, or Corporate Social Responsibility, is not a new concept, but it is an integral part of corporate strategies.

Beyond profits, responsible businesses contribute to their local community and participate in the broader social climate. They look after their staff, pay liveable wages, and run a sustainable, environmentally-conscious operation.

More and more companies are subscribing to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals - 17 goals to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

When a company’s CSR endeavours are genuinely part of their values, a business can be considered a corporately and socially responsible. This also applies to their use and implementation of vehicles.

Let us get to the point. Responsible Fleets Do More. More of what?

Responsible Fleets Do More Good.

Being perceived as a socially responsible company - in itself - may just be a good enough reason on its own to integrate Corporate Social Responsibility activities into your strategy.

Making sure your drivers take optimal routes, are in a healthy state of mind, and drive clean vehicles is already possible today. Involving management through Key Performance Indicators and variable remuneration can be a good way to go. Human Resources Department should also take the lead on developing Home Office and flexible ways of working. All is about convincing employees: not easy to do, but rewarding!

You can make your fleet more socially responsible by, for example, monitoring the NOX and CO2 emissions, minimising speed and idling, supporting safer driving behaviours, etc…. In the age of total connectivity, fleets can produce vast amounts of valuable, informative data. Using this data to minimise the impact on the environment, is the responsible way forward. Though challenging, convincing employees and managers to become actors of the change is vital to your CSR success.

Responsible Fleets Do More Business.

Already in 2006, the UK’s Small Business Consortium found that 88% of consumers are more likely to engage with businesses that are actively supporting social causes.

Ten years later, studies like the one by the European Citizens Action Service, show that more and more people are getting politically and socially active.

In light of this, it seems that CSR, constant connectivity between customers and businesses, and fostering one's community engagement is a no-brainer.

Responsible Fleets Make Economic Sense

Electric and hybrid vehicles make a noticeable dent in the taxes companies have to pay and often receive incentives toward their purchase price, thanks to governmental support for clean and efficient vehicles.

In addition, vehicles with electric powertrains may also save on maintenance as well as congestion charges. They also suffer lower downtime than internal-combustion engine vehicles.

Reducing fuel consumption and assuring proper fleet maintenance and utilisation can make a massive step towards your CSR goals, even though vehicles should be selected according to the actual usage.

Responsible Fleets Have Happier and More Loyal Employees

Staff retention is something CSR businesses are naturally better at, as quality personnel is more drawn to companies that care about their impact on the world. (*According to UK Small Business Consortium)

In summary, though CSR is in most cases not legally mandated, it has become the sought-out standard for many industries.

Investors, communities, staff, NGOs and other stakeholders scrutinise businesses on their Corporate Social Responsibility, realising that responsible businesses can do more and be more. Actions prevail on speech: green washing would be the worst scenario for companies pretending to act without proving it.