Phil Clifford Not having a grey fleet is perfectly feasible but the organisation may have to provide more resource to ensure that alternative transport is available, be it public transport, pool cars, spot hire cars, car share schemes, car clubs, bicycles etc.

Glenn Ewen There are two – pool cars and hire cars. This adds an element of control as each and every journey would require authorisation and all cars would be up to an agreed standard.

Hire cars are more cost-effective and safer when used for longer journeys whereas pool cars can be expensive unless regularly monitored and used extensively.

The FleetNews view

Grey fleet vehicles can form an important part of the overall company car fleet. Although pool and hire cars may accomplish the same task, the benefits of allowing employees to use their own vehicles should not be ignored.

However, fleet managers need to be aware of the pitfalls and have in place measures to ensure vehicles comply with health and safety requirements and that unnecessary mileage is not undertaken which raises fuel reimbursement costs.