The 2014 Budget held mixed news for fleets, says Martin Brown, managing director at Fleet Alliance, which manages around 14,000 vehicles on behalf of corporate clients.

“While we welcome the cancellation of the increase in fuel duty planned for September, the news of a 2% rise in the rate of company car tax in 2017/18 and 2018/19 is unwelcome as it is yet another tax on businesses and their employees,” he said.

“What these measures continue to do, however, is underline the importance of selecting the right company cars for your fleet that are both fuel and tax efficient.

“That means careful selection of models with low fuel consumption to keep fuel bills in check and those with as low carbon emissions as possible to benefit from  lower rates of company car tax , national insurance and VED.

“That means careful fleet planning now for the changes that take effect in three years and prudent selection of vehicles with low whole life costs.”
 

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