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

Almost half of UK employers (46%) who offer alternative mobility solutions do so for all of their staff

However, while the research reveals that mobility remains an important subject despite the pandemic, just less than a third (32%) limit potential provision to employees with a company car, while a further 14% extend the facility to those with a company car as well as ‘selected others’.

The research also explored the reasons for offering mobility to employees. Of the employers that offer a mobility plan, the top response was that “it supports our objective of doing business in a sustainable and responsible manner” (29%). But more than a quarter (26%) then said “it supports employees in their wish for more flexibility around their mobility”.

Meanwhile, 20% believe that “there is higher productivity as a result of better use of time,” and lastly 18% report that “it brings a lower cost of mobility.”

Shaun Sadlier, head of Arval Mobility Observatory in the 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.

“The importance of mobility today is illustrated by the finding that almost half of employers now report that they provide some form of mobility option for employees. With 44% of smaller businesses and 57% of larger employers, this is a trend that appears to be developing across the whole market.”

Sadlier continued: “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. So while mobility is being offered across companies of all sizes, it is more prevalent in larger organisations.”

To which employees do you offer a mobility plan?

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

*Question only asked to those respondents with a mobility plan