Mobile damage repair network Shine! has added plug-in hybrids to its company vehicles for the first time to meet environmental, tax and cost objectives.
Shine! has added four Volkswagen Golf GTE PHEVs to its existing fleet
The business, one of four that make up automotive insurance products and warranty provider AutoProtect Group, switched to PHEVs with the help of leasing and fleet management expert Fleet Alliance.
Shine! has added four Volkswagen Golf GTE PHEVs to its existing fleet, following advice and input from Fleet Alliance appointed representative, Chris Rowthorn.
The mobile repair business is also using Fleet Alliance’s e-Fleet cloud-based fleet management and reporting system to allow it to manage every aspect of its fleet operation in real time.
Shine! was looking to provide company vehicles for its management team for the first time, with ESG, cost and tax issues at the forefront of any selection decision. Rowthorn gave detailed costings for up to 10 vehicles, with the GTE coming out as the overall winner on a whole-life cost basis.
Liam Buckley, finance operations manager at Shine!, said: “All our drivers are very happy and have been very complimentary about the selection process. Chris Rowthorn was excellent in providing a full breakdown of costings so we could complete the necessary calculations and provide transparency on the financials.
“In addition to the specifications, costings and other charges, he also provided an alternative model for every vehicle we requested for comparison purposes, which not only simplified but sped up the decision-making process.
“He also provided provisional calculations on our carbon reduction from the new vehicles which I will be presenting at Board level.”
Rowthorn said: “I was able to demonstrate that, although the leasing costs for the GTE were marginally higher, the total cost of ownership, once factors such as the fuel cost and employer’s NI were taken into account, was substantially lower and was a perfect fit for their needs.
“As a result, Shine! has achieved a 96% reduction in its carbon emissions for this cohort of drivers equivalent to reducing its carbon output by 109.2 tonnes of CO2 over the term of the lease agreements,
“That is the equivalent of the carbon output of 1,824 tree seedlings being grown for 10 years,” he added.
