A snapshot survey by the EST has found that almost a quarter of Scottish businesses have considered reducing staff numbers because of the pressure of rising fuel costs.

A total of 6% of those asked said they had actually been forced to lose workers because of the pressure of spiralling petrol prices.

Almost half (45%) of the organisations surveyed said energy costs were the biggest factor affecting them today – and a third are now using bicycles for business travel.

Ian Murdoch, manager for Scottish transport at the Energy Saving Trust, Scotland, said: ‘The economic downturn and rising fuel costs are presenting significant difficulties for Scottish businesses – but help is at hand.

‘Green measures like fuel efficient driving, electric vehicles and even using bicycles can all ease the pressure on strained transport budgets, and the Energy Saving Trust can provide advice about all those options.

‘Additionally, the Energy Saving Trust offers a free sustainable transport review which could identify significant opportunities for organisations to reduce the impact of rising travel costs.’

The snapshot Scottish transport survey, conducted online between November 2012 and April 2013, also found 70% of organisations have spoken to their staff about the need to cut travel costs.

Four in ten have considered buying electric vehicles to reduce running costs, making the green vehicles the most popular option for saving money on business transport.

More than a quarter of organisations surveyed (27%) have audited their transport and travel arrangements to see where cost savings could be made, and a third have already taken fuel efficient driver training.

Four in ten of the Scots firms questioned (41%) spend more than £10,000 a year on business travel, with a quarter (26%) interested in getting financial support to cut transport costs.

Anyone wanting more details on taking up fuel-efficient driving should see the Energy Saving Trust Scotland’s website at http://bit.ly/10Grxo0 or call their local Energy Saving Scotland advice centre on 0800 512 012.

They can also download the Energy Saving Trust’s Fuel Good app to their smartphone from the App Store or Google Play via http://bit.ly/XrjIqk.

Organisations who are interested in booking a sustainable transport review or who want more information on saving money on business travel should see http://bit.ly/13kSsYP  call 0800 512 012 and speak to a Transport Advisor, or email [email protected].