The UK vote to leave the EU is already taking its toll on some UK fleets, with the true impact of Brexit yet to be felt.

Brexit already impacting on fleets, finds BT’s Fleet Solutions report

That’s one of the key findings from the second Operational Fleet Insight Report from BT’s Fleet Solutions department, with the report also providing insights into how fleet managers are dealing with other challenges, including future clean air zones and the shift to low emission vehicles.

The report, released at the Fleet Solutions’ Industry Fleet Forum event at BT Tower today (14 September) and available to download at www.btfleetinsight.com, was commissioned in partnership with the AA and surveyed 514 respondents.

The report finds that 66% of respondents feel they have been impacted by Brexit, mainly due to rising fuel costs and the exchange rate, and 68% are expecting impact over the next 12 months. Although a total of 34% of fleet managers reported that they have felt no impact at all from Brexit so far, only 9% of these expect to experience a significant impact from Brexit in the next 12 months.

The research also found that the response of most fleet managers is to continue with business as usual until the picture becomes a little clearer. And there’s also a sense that as the overall impact of Brexit settles, the issues that affect fleet managers most will not be the highest priority for the government to sort out in the short term.

Edmund King, AA president, said: “It is of little surprise that Brexit is a major issue across all industries. While all believe that there will be some impact on their businesses once the UK finally leaves the EU, it is encouraging to see that many feel that any changes will be minimal. However, with business concerned about rising fuel costs and higher overall travel costs we hope the Government takes note of the concerns these industries have in order to make the post-Brexit transition as smooth as possible.”

The report, which also covers technology advancement, safety, alternative-fuelling, and manager-driver relationships, also found that 66% of respondents support the introduction of more clean air zones and 63% of fleets believe they will be using alternative fuels in five years’ time.

Meanwhile 49% of fleet managers have said they support the BVRLA proposal for a new intermediate van licence.
Henry Brace, BT’s Fleet Solutions managing director, said: “Insight is the vital component of any fleet manager’s arsenal and helps them future-proof their fleets. Our report provides useful insight into the data gathered, working with the fleet industry as one to advance our sector. We’ve aimed to not only uncover the issues impacting operational fleets, but also to present the findings in a way that allows the reader to apply the learnings in their day to day role and equip their fleets for the challenges ahead.”