Your vehicles are a critical part of your business’s operations; from company cars for employees, to delivery vans and specialist vehicles, your fleet helps to keep the UK moving. However, the pressures of legal compliance & legislation, keeping vehicles maintained and on the road can be a time-consuming task, no matter the size of your fleet.

Leasing vehicles for your business might feel like a big undertaking and you may not know where to start, but the benefits could see your business save significant time and money.

Business contract hire (BCH) is a way for business owners to lease vehicles with a low initial outlay and fixed monthly payments, without tying up large sums of capital in assets that will decline in value as they are used.

By leasing instead of buying vehicles outright, small business owners don’t have to handle the risks associated with fleet ownership such as residual values and disposals.

What are the benefits of leasing?

There are many benefits to business vehicle leasing:

Your company reputation – having your own branded fleet of vehicles can enhance your brand’s visibility and reputation, acting as a marketing tool to share your message to customers.

Drive the latest vehicles – leasing means you will have the choice of brand new vehicles, straight from the manufacturer, often featuring the latest safety technology, helping to keep your products and employees safe.

Reduces your carbon footprint – with many Clean Air Zones (CAZ’s) arriving in cities this year, it could well be worth opting for a green fleet made up of hybrid and electric vehicles, improving your business’s environmental impact and reducing transport waste.

Cash savings – BCH is a tax-efficient way for business owners to lease newer, cleaner fleet vehicles that have reduced NIC & tax costs, without tying up large sums of capital in assets that will decline in value as they are used. With fixed monthly payments and the ability to claim back up to 100% VAT, BCH vehicle leasing is a budget-friendly option for smaller businesses.

Reduction in risk for your company – by leasing instead of buying vehicles outright, SME owners don’t have to handle the risks associated with fleet ownership such as residual values and disposals.

Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions (HCVS) offer fully maintained BCH contracts on their lease vehicles, covering all aspects of servicing, repair and downtime, meaning you will have no unexpected or out-of-pocket maintenance bills through the life of the contract.

Can I get any support with managing my fleet?

Some of the responsibilities associated with managing a fully leased fleet can feel overwhelming for already busy SME owners. HVCS can provide optional add-ins to give a full fleet management support which includes:

• Vehicle maintenance

• Daily rental and relief vehicles for when your vehicles are off the road

• Accident management including vehicle recovery, repair and temporary replacement

• Signwriting

At HCVS, their award-winning fleet solution extends to SMEs looking for a partner to provide insight into fleet efficiency, costs and performance, meaning you can focus less on your fleet and more on running your business.

Effective fleet management can also improve customer satisfaction, enabling goods and services to be delivered in a fast, efficient and safe way. Having external support with fleet management can help your business set KPIs to monitor your fleet’s performance, and improve it going forward.

Am I eligible for Fleet Management services?

Fleet leasing and management services are available to businesses that operate multiple vehicles as well as for sole traders and smaller businesses.

Leasing vehicles doesn’t have to be a big expense, in fact, it can be a flexible and budget-friendly way to run a fleet. There are a variety of funding solutions available for businesses to lease the right type of vehicles for their budget and vehicle preferences.

Whether you need business-critical vans or cars for your employees, HCVS’s experts will work with you to provide a flexible leasing option, tailored to your needs. Click here to find out more.

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