Challenge
Southside Housing Association wanted to review its transport arrangements as it was moving office and taking on housing stock over a larger area. It anticipated an increasing grey fleet mileage (business miles travelled in employee-owned vehicles), with implications for cost, carbon emissions, and health and safety.
Southside Housing Association also wished to improve access to vehicles for non-car owners, so the move to new premises provided an ideal opportunity to look at promoting sustainable travel.
Solution
In February 2013, Southside Housing Association commissioned Energy Saving Trust to audit its current transport arrangements. Our report made recommendations on greener alternatives, and outlined cost savings associated with making changes. Recommendations included the procurement of an electric pool vehicle to help reduce grey fleet mileage. In May 2013, it purchased an electric Nissan Leaf. The benefits were clear – the anticipated increase in mileage was kept within a reasonable parameter, and a vehicle was available for staff unable to make a journey efficiently on foot or by public transport.
Southside Housing Association installed a public electric vehicle charging point with grant funding from Energy Saving Trust. The new office was also furnished with a bank of photovoltaic panels.
Result
By implementing the recommendations, Southside Housing Association has seen savings of more than £3,000 and approximately 2.55 tonnes of CO2. Introducing an electric vehicle pool car has enabled it to reduce its staff grey fleet mileage by approximately 50%.
Having an electric vehicle and a charge point help to promote Southside Housing Association as being socially responsible and environmentally friendly.
“The electric car has been well received by staff. Staff are able to work efficiently by using the pool vehicle, making the most efficient use of staff time.”
Norma Taylor, head of housing support, Southside Housing Association