Almost half of UK employers (46%) who offer alternative mobility solutions do so for all their staff, according to Arval Mobility Observatory’s 2021 Barometer.

However, less than a third (32%) limit potential provision to employees with a company car, while 14% extend the facility to those with a company car as well as ‘selected others’.

The top reason for providing a mobility plan was that “it supports our objective of doing business in a sustainable and responsible manner” (29%).

More than a quarter (26%) said “it supports employees in their wish for more flexibility around their mobility,” 20% believe that “there is higher productivity because of better use of time,” and 18% report that “it brings a lower cost of mobility”.

Shaun Sadlier, head of Arval Mobility Observatory UK, said: “Our research shows that the decision to take the mobility route appears to be based on four broadly equal factors – a blend of a desire to make business travel more environmentally responsible and supporting employees in their aspirations to have more flexibility, while also increasing productivity and reducing overall travel costs. All of these are potential benefits.

“Where mobility is being adopted, it is interesting to note its positioning in relation to the company car, with slightly less than a third of respondents overall viewing it as being complimentary to the company car.

“However, this is heavily influenced by the size of the employer - smaller employers are more than twice as likely to make that offer as larger ones.

“The reason for this appears to be that larger employers are making mobility options available to a wider section of their workforce in the first place, reducing the scope for company car opt-outs.”

While mobility is offered across companies of all sizes, it is more prevalent in larger organisations, said Sadlier.

Low tax rates on electric vehicles (EVs) has resulted in an increase – now 53% compared to 39% 2020 - in employers offering salary sacrifice to non-company car drivers, according to the Barometer. 

To which employees do you offer a mobility plan?

	Overall	Fewer than 10 employees	10-99 employees	More than a 1,000 employees
All employees	46%	44%	35%	57%
Those with a company car	32%	43%	40%	20%
Those with a company car and some others	14%	2%	22%	17%

What is the main reason you offer a mobility plan or budget to your employees?*

	Overall	Fewer than 10 employees	10-99 employees	100-999 employees	More than a 1,000 employees
It supports our objective of doing business in a sustainable and responsible manner	29%	29%	17%	30%	35%
It supports our employees in their wish for more flexibility around their mobility	26%	25%	23%	29%	26%
There is a higher productivity as a result of better time use	20%	13%	30%	19%	18%
It brings a lower cost of mobility	18%	16%	28%	17%	15%

*Question asked to respondents with a mobility plan