Hays, who have over 600 vehicles through contract hire and employee car ownership, and a similar number of employees currently taking a cash allowance, has restructured its choice list by capping the CO2 ratings of benchmark cars in each band.

To further reduce its carbon footprint and cut fuel costs, the business has also switched to fuel cards and introduced online mileage reporting and expenses payments.

“We had a very clear idea of what we wanted and were looking for a supplier who could provide us with a fully blended environmental fleet solution,” explained Louise Wakefield, procurement sourcing manager at Hays.

“Alphabet came to us with the ability to integrate mileage capture and fuel and CO2 reporting into a single solution for both the leased and ECO sides of our fleet. We also wanted drivers to be able to get quotes and order cars online using a system that can handle CO2 benchmarks. Alphabet offered us that capability through their Alphabet Online system.”

Hays requires its drivers to record details of all business journeys via online mileage capture – even those who only drive on business very infrequently. As well as streamlining expense payments, the move allows Hays to measure its travel-related carbon footprint and collect data to support future decision-making on car and travel policies.

“We were impressed that mileage capture and fuel expense management are integrated into Alphabet’s product portfolio,” said Wakefield. “Like us, they recognise that responsible environmental fleet management must address not only cars but also drivers and journeys. It calls for joined-up management of the whole picture and that’s what Alphabet offered us.”

Alphabet will be supplying Hays with Audi, BMW, MINI and VW vehicles on contract hire and employee car ownership. Hays is also using the company’s AlphaRisk service. It is introducing driver licence checking, and online driver risk assessments are scheduled for future implementation.

Mark Sinclair, director at Alphabet, said; “We make it our business to deliver the kind of holistic, integrated products and services demanded by customers such as Hays,” he said. “We have structured ourselves to enable businesses to achieve their goal of increasing fleet productivity while reducing current and future operating costs.”