Member Article

Boost CSR profile with electric cars

With 87 per cent of UK consumers expecting companies to consider their impact on the environment and society as much as their own business interests*, Electric Car Hire is encouraging businesses to boost their corporate social responsibility (CSR) profile by supporting the UK’s vision of reducing emissions and creating a greener future.

CSR is an important part of many business models, particularly environmental impact. As a result, businesses will be looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint, and this is where Electric Car Hire, the UK’s first electric-only car hire company, is on hand to provide the solution.

According to the Government’s Good Business report**, a good CSR program can help to protect and enhance a company’s reputation and its brand value. With consumers increasingly seeking out companies with higher ethical standards, an established CSR program can help to protect and increase a company’s customer base.

As more electric car charging points are being installed across the UK – helped by a £9 million Government investment across the UK last year and the Go Ultra Low campaign –businesses can use electric cars to help them to establish their green initiatives.

Thames Valley-based firm Electric Car Hire, which launched in March, is offering its electric car lease services to companies across the South East and will drop off one of its zero-emission BMW i3 hatchbacks to a business’s door, from £21.50 per day*** or £235 per week.

Companies will not only be able to save money on employee expenses – usually made up of train fares and petrol – when they visit firms outside of the region, but also dramatically lower their emissions, thus supporting their CSR programs.

Matthew Munson, managing director of Electric Car Hire, commented: “Businesses are becoming more and more aware of their carbon footprint and it’s important for them to understand their impact on the environment.

“Improving your CSR can not only enhance your brand name and reputation but also reduce costs, and that’s where we can really help. Electric cars should no longer be a curiosity for companies – they should be a reality. Our fleet of BMWi3s give businesses the perfect opportunity to trial the future and strengthen their CSR program, while saving money on expenses.”

One such business that has raised its CSR profile by using the Electric Car Hire service is Emulate3D, a software development and sales management company based in Reading.

Ian McGregor, director at Emulate3D, said: “Electric vehicles are tax efficient and have cut my weekly fuel bill by 80 per cent. We wanted to reduce the company’s carbon footprint, and we have seen the difference, with one of the cars making a 65 mile round trip four times a week.

“I’d absolutely recommend electric cars to other businesses as they are currently an attractive mix of doing the right thing, government incentives, while also a pleasurable driving experience.”

For further information on hiring an electric car, visit http://www.electriccarhire.co.uk/

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Electric Car Hire .