We like to think we coined the phrase Grey Fleet.  In 2001 while working on one of our early projects we became aware of just how many miles were being driven "on business" in privately owned cars.  Indeed in many public sector organisations most business mileage is being driven in the Grey Fleet and not the van or even the HGV fleet.

The Fleet Manager is often under pressure to improve the carbon emission of the organisation's own fleet while several thousand Grey Fleet drivers are producing twice as much carbon in a fleet which includes some vehicles over 20 years old. If your organisation aims to reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality and enhance road safety the Grey Fleet may be pulling in the opposite direction on all three counts!

• Collate detailed mileage claims and vehicle data.
• Establish cost profile and actual gross mileage cost £/mile.
• Compare costs with alternative reimbursement rates.
• Establish fleet profile: Age, Safety, Emissions.
• Cost alternatives: pool fleet, car clubs, hire cars.

A good Grey Fleet policy will make using privately owned vehicles the option of last resort. Only used to get to a local transport hub or for very short local journeys. And a good policy will remove the financial incentive to make journeys, saving money, cutting mileage and cutting costs.