More than two-thirds (68%) of companies have yet to consider switching from a total cost of vehicle ownership model to a broader total cost of mobility principle which encompasses fleet, travel and expense management in a single function, according to an ACFO survey.

The survey, which sought the views of SMEs, mid-sector and major corporates operating in urban and rural areas, and operating fleets ranging in size from a handful of company cars to more than 1,000 vehicles, was conducted amid fleet decision-makers increasingly being urged to focus on adopting 'business mobility' or Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS).

This describes a shift away from traditional company cars, vehicle salary sacrifice schemes and private cars reimbursed for business use towards mobility solutions that are consumed as a service. 

Despite the failure to switch to measuring total cost of mobility, a high proportion (46%) of city centric companies are interested in doing so, while an additional 32% are 'undecided'. This suggests that companies could be looking for support or guidance on the future and how they could implement a business mobility management solution that examines total journey costs.

Detailed survey findings will be presented at ACFO's autumn seminar, ‘Drive for Mobility’, which is being held on October 19 at the NEC, Birmingham. It is being supported by LeasePlan UK, and mobility as service platform provider Fleetondemand.

Spaces remain available to attend the seminar and they can be booked by contacting ACFO on 01865 342102 or emailing info@acfo.org. The event is open to ACFO members and non-members

The seminar is being held as part of Fleet Management Live, which takes place at the NEC, Birmingham, on October 19 and 20.

ACFO chairman John Pryor (pictured) said: “The seminar is extremely timely because the survey results indicate that it is clear that businesses require help and guidance if MaaS is to become a reality inside employers in the near future. Fleets are part of the whole business mobility solution, but wider issues and other travel options should be considered.

“The challenges and opportunities presented by MaaS will be the seminar’s focus with a range of speakers helping to interpret the survey’s findings while also highlighting their own views on how fleet decision-makers and their employers can turn business mobility from a concept to reality.”

Seminar speakers include:

• Hein du Plessis, head of product development, LeasePlan UK
• Graeme Banister, consulting director at global research and consulting organisation Frost & Sullivan
• Charles Joel, of IBM, and Chris Haynes, fleet and business travel manager (UK & Ireland) Operations at Ricoh, who will highlight how their respective employers have embraced MaaS
• Justin Whitston, chief executive, Fleetondemand
• Dr Remo Gerber, managing director, Western Europe at on demand mobility company GETT
• Hamish Phillips, regional corporate sales manager, UK - Tesla.

To find out more about Fleet Management Live and to register for your free ticket, visit www.fleetmanagementlive.co.uk.