A 250-vehicle fleet has switched to an employee car ownership scheme to eliminate the impact of the company car tax rule changes on their drivers.

Thorn Lighting is being supplied by VELO and the scheme is based around an Inland Revenue approved car scheme that removes benefit-in-kind liability from staff.

David Draper, personnel and training manager at Thorn Lighting, said: 'The product has Inland Revenue approval and unlike a PCP scheme the driver has total car ownership from the outset, and will not be liable for BIK tax.

'Some of our drivers will be better off under the new tax rules and they will be allowed to remain in the company car scheme, and others who will only be slightly worse off have also said they intend to remain in company cars. Both schemes will be run in parallel.'

VELO sales and marketing director Tony Johnston said: 'We have had a consultative role in the implementation of Thorn's ECOS scheme, and have provided drivers with CO2 calculators to enable them to see the potential effect of the looming tax changes on a personal level.

'Employee consultation will continue with a branded telephone line through which Thorn's drivers will be able to speak to an advisor whenever they need to.'