THE majority of fleets are doing their bit to reduce work-related travel by allowing staff to work from home.

More than three-quarters of fleets questioned in a survey believe that working from home is reducing work-related travel, up from 34% a year ago.

But the study by GE Fleet Services found that the growing trend is having no impact on the increasing popularity of the company car.

According to the firm’s quarterly Company Car Trends (covering Q4, 2006) report into developments in the fleet sector, the number of companies offering cars to essential users is now almost 100%.

GE Fleet Services managing director, Rich Green, said: ‘The traditional company car is making a genuine comeback and remains the undisputed number one form of work-related travel.

‘However, it is clear that factors such as traffic congestion suggest that employees are increasingly looking at alternatives. For many, a good way to maximise use of time and avoid the cost and hassle of travel is simply to spend some of their time working from home, either to avoid commuting or to use it as a base from which to carry out their work travel.’

The company says better communications technology makes working from home more practical, with home workers having access to almost the same IT and communications resources as those sat in an office.

Green added: ‘One of the major advantages of working from home is the fact that the environmental impact of travel is avoided completely, something that is becoming an increasingly important subject for many company car fleets, Company Car Trends shows.’

It is estimated that about eight million people now spend at least some of their working week at home instead of at the office.