Operating a Commercial Fleet
If you operate a commercial fleet then you will know that there are some very important differences between commercial and domestic vehicles and how they are handled. Those new to the commercial fleet sector will need to be aware of the differences well in advance of starting up their business, whether they are in the medical field, running a taxi service, providing courier services, or any other work-related vehicle fleet.
Dedicated fleet insurance
It is vital to have the right insurance in place for your fleet as if you do not, then you could be liable for any damage caused by one of your vehicles. Fleet insurance can be a complicated and confusing area, but it does not need to be difficult. If you look online you will see there are experts in this field that can help you, and will make sure that all of your vehicles are properly covered with the correct level of cover. They understand that every business is different so they tailor their policies specifically to suit each client’s needs.
A lot of people think that if the vehicles are owned by their business, then the cars and vans will be automatically covered under the company insurance. This is not true for two reasons; firstly, your personal insurance may not cover private use and secondly many businesses don't have public liability coverage in place to protect themselves from third party claims. Fleet specialists provide dedicated commercial vehicle insurance for all types of businesses including taxis, minicabs and delivery companies as well as small business owners with one or two vehicles.
Fuelling your fleet
Depending on the distances your fleet covers, fuel is likely to be one of your biggest expenses. While fuel is a major expense for any fleet, it's hard to keep track of how much you're spending and this can cause extra admin if you want to keep everything on track for tax and accounting purposes.
For many fleets, a fuel card can make it easy to save money on fuel by giving drivers access to the best prices in their area, all without having to carry cash or worry about getting overcharged at the pump. This makes them one of the most convenient and cost-effective ways to keep your vehicles fuelled and on the road.
You can use these cards to buy petrol or diesel from your local station with just a swipe of your card, and they are usually linked to an app that collects data on drivers’ mileage, fuel spend and fuel economy as they travel. Having the ability to monitor various usage information in this way allows you to save money and increase your fleet’s efficiency, and this is another aspect of using fuel card systems that makes them so popular with fleet operators.
Consider electric vehicles
Fuel prices are constantly rising, and the cost of running a conventional car is becoming prohibitive. Electric vehicles are a cheap alternative to conventional cars that will save your business money in the long run. They can help you cut your transport costs by up to 80%. Moreover, they're also more reliable than traditional cars as they have fewer moving parts, which means less maintenance is required.
An electric fleet might include small vans and trucks ideal for businesses who need to transport goods short distances every day such as couriers or delivery services; larger lorries suitable for companies that require heavy duty transportation like construction firms; or passenger vehicles perfect for taxi fleets or ride sharing apps.
Electric vehicles could be the perfect solution for businesses looking to save money on their fleet. They are far cheaper than conventional vehicles in terms of running costs, and they also have no exhaust emissions which makes them ideal for use within cities. Plus, electric vehicles will soon become exempt from congestion charges as well as certain taxes so you won’t have any extra fees added onto your bill at the end of every month.
Electric cars have been around for a while now, but they haven't taken off in mainstream consumer markets because they were too expensive and had limited ranges. Luckily, the technology in electric cars is rapidly advancing, and they now have very acceptable ranges and charge times.
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