Why businesses should care about sustainable transport

Did you know transport is the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK? It makes up around 26% of the country’s total emissions. Yep, more than a quarter of our carbon footprint comes from how we get around.

But here’s the bright side: it means we’ve got a golden opportunity to clean things up. Enter sustainable transport, the cleaner, greener way to travel that helps us leave fossil fuels (and filthy air) in the dust.

So, what exactly is sustainable transport, and why should businesses care? Let’s break it down.

Every car journey, delivery van, and long-haul lorry burns through fossil fuels and pumps out carbon. Over time, that’s built a serious emissions problem we can’t ignore.

And no surprises here: petrol and diesel vehicles are the main troublemakers. In 2021, domestic transport was responsible for roughly 109 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions. That’s a big slice of the UK’s carbon pie.

Total Domestic GHG Emissions in 2021

But it’s not just about carbon. Those old-school engines pump out exhaust gases that poison the air, especially in busy cities. This pollution is linked to serious health problems, especially for kids. In fact, one in three babies in the UK grow up breathing air that’s not safe, which can lead to asthma and affect lung and brain development.

Plus, petrol and diesel cars rely on fossil fuels like crude oil. Extracting and transporting these fuels wreaks havoc on the environment, causing soil and water pollution and threatening our oceans with spills.

And let’s not forget the noise. Combustion engines are loud, and that noise pollution isn’t harmless. It can cause stress, high blood pressure, and hearing issues – not just for people, but for wildlife too, disrupting their natural cycles.

Clearly, the way we’ve been getting around isn’t doing our planet any favours. But the good news is that cleaner, quieter options are already here, and they’re ready to take the wheel.

Switching to greener transport really matters, especially if we want to hit the UK government’s big goal of Net Zero by 2050. The truth is, the only way we’ll cut down on the harmful emissions that are warming our planet is by choosing cleaner, low-emission ways to get around over the next 25 years.

But is sustainable transport worth the effort? Well, for starters:

• It cuts greenhouse gases by skipping tailpipe emissions, which means a smaller carbon footprint and a happier planet.
• It cleans up the air, which helps keep our lungs healthy and means we’ll live healthily for longer.
• And it turns down the noise, because electric vehicles (EVs) are way quieter, making busy city streets a little more peaceful.

What counts as sustainable transport? Think EVs, buses and trains, bikes, and sharing car trips with friends or colleagues. Getting on board with these options is a must if we want to build a cleaner, greener future.

Businesses have a starring role to play in the green transport revolution. Offering your team cleaner, greener ways to get around is good for the planet and great for your bottom line. It’ll mean happier employees, a boost to your eco credentials, and a dent in your carbon emissions.

Ready to lead the charge? Here are a few ideas to get you started.

One of the easiest and most effective ways to do this is through EV salary sacrifice, and our scheme is designed to make this a breeze.

Here’s how it works. Employees agree to “sacrifice” part of their gross salary and in return get access to a brand new EV, all bundled into one simple monthly payment which includes:

• Maintenance and servicing to keep the vehicle running smoothly
• Insurance for peace of mind
• Driver support whenever they need help
• A home charger (or if that’s not an option, 4,000 free miles on the Octopus Electroverse public charging network so they’re never left stranded). (And remember, if your employees don’t have a drive, but do have access to a private parking space, they can always apply for the EV Chargepoint Grant.)
  

Maintenance

Breakdown cover

Insurance

Charging

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And it gets even better: EV salary sacrifice schemes reduce the amount of National Insurance both you and your employees pay, thanks to the ultra-low Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) rate for EVs.

All this means you’ll reduce your Scope 3 emissions, support a more sustainable lifestyle for your team, and boost your benefits package for free, leaving the paperwork to us.

But there’s more to green transport than just the vehicles. Making sure your employees can charge their EVs easily, especially at work, is just as important.

That’s where investing in workplace EV charging comes in. It’s a simple way to support your team, reduce emissions, and attract talented workers – particularly Gen Z – who often care deeply about sustainability.

Luckily, the government’s Workplace Charging Scheme can help cover the cost, funding up to 75% of the purchase and installation of charging points: up to £350 per socket and 40 sockets per business. This makes it easier and more affordable than ever to create a sustainable workplace.

As well as introducing an EV salary sacrifice scheme and installing workplace chargers, it’s important to encourage your employees to make sustainable decisions every day that make a big difference over time.

Here are a few simple ways your team can reduce their impact:

• Choosing to walk or cycle for short journeys
• Sharing rides with friends, family, or colleagues
• Opting for trains instead of planes when possible
• Driving smarter by avoiding speeding, harsh braking, and unnecessary heating or air conditioning
• Using public transport whenever it’s an option

Every one of these small shifts helps move us toward a cleaner, greener transport future.

Creating a greener future won’t happen overnight, but every step we take together makes a real difference.

Whether it’s introducing an EV salary sacrifice scheme or supporting your team’s wellbeing by creating a culture of low-carbon travel, small actions lead to meaningful change.

If your business is ready to make sustainable transport a reality, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.