Mercia offers free grey fleet management to help small businesses cut risk

In a bid to help small businesses tackle one of the most overlooked risk areas in transport, Mercia Fleet Management is offering six months of free grey fleet management to companies with up to 100 employees. The initiative coincides with the launch and rebranding of Mercia’s new website.

A division of Tamworth-based Fleet Evolution, a specialist in electric vehicle salary sacrifice schemes, Mercia is targeting the offer at small businesses that rely on employees using their personal vehicles for work — a practice known as grey fleet driving. According to Mercia, this type of fleet remains a significant risk factor for organisations without a dedicated fleet manager.

Grey fleet vehicles are usually older, less fuel-efficient, and less likely to be fitted with modern safety technology than traditional company vehicles. According to the BVRLA, an estimated 14 million grey fleet vehicles are currently in use across the UK, significantly increasing the potential for accidents and liability.

Leech added: “Data shows that driving for work carries a higher risk of collision than normal driving. While it is always preferable for company-owned or leased vehicles to be used on company business, as inevitably they are newer, better maintained and with the latest safety features, it may not always be possible in every case.

“We have been providing detailed grey fleet management for clients for the last eight years and have extensive knowledge of what is required to deliver an effective grey fleet risk assessment policy.”

As part of the six-month free service, Mercia will conduct a comprehensive review of the grey fleet within a business. This includes:

• Employee vetting for eligibility to drive for work
• Vehicle condition assessments, including MOT and service checks
• Insurance validation, ensuring policies cover business use
• Licence checks, penalty point declarations, and accident history reviews
• Issuance of a “permit to drive” once all criteria are met

Mercia will also help the business implement a robust “Driving at Work” policy, covering essential areas like duty of care, insurance liabilities, and alternative transport methods (such as hire cars, taxis, and bicycles) — all integrated into a practical mobility policy.

For example, Mercia often recommends a hire car for trips over 100 miles per day, as it is typically more cost-effective than reimbursing employees at the 45p-per-mile AMAP rate. Mercia even manages the booking and logistics of hire vehicles as part of their service.

The grey fleet support offer is part of the launch of Mercia’s revamped website, which now provides clearer access to fleet guidance, compliance advice, and fleet management tools — tailored especially to SMEs.