Customer stories: Worcestershire County Council

Driving Towards a Greener Future: How Tusker’s Car Scheme is Making a Difference at Worcestershire County Council

Like many other public sector organisations, Worcestershire County Council has a commitment to a sustainable future, seeking innovative ways to reduce their carbon footprint while providing meaningful benefits to employees. The launch of the Tusker car benefit scheme is a prime example of how the Council is putting their values into action, helping employees access affordable, eco-friendly vehicles and supporting the pledge to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in the future.

The Council introduced the Tusker scheme to provide almost all employees, regardless of their tax bracket, access to affordable electric and hybrid vehicles. While green initiatives can sometimes seem out of reach for those on lower salaries, this scheme opens the door for everyone to contribute to a more sustainable future. The Council has seen a significant uptake among lower-rate taxpayers, who are now driving electric and hybrid cars, a testament to the scheme’s accessibility and appeal.

When it came to selecting the right partner for this initiative, the Council didn’t take the decision lightly. The HR team, in collaboration with the commercial team, conducted a thorough sourcing exercise using the CCS framework. After evaluating several options, it was clear that Tusker most closely met the requirements, offering the perfect blend of value for money and high-quality service. Tusker’s commitment to sustainability and understanding of the Council’s goals made them the ideal partner.

The Tusker scheme is more than just a car benefit—it’s a crucial part of the Council’s broader strategy to align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. By encouraging the transition to non-fossil fuel vehicles, Worcestershire are making strides in reducing their carbon footprint, particularly in areas like business travel and employee commuting. The team are very aware that every tender exercise they undertake is an opportunity to enhance their sustainability efforts, and Tusker’s car scheme is a key player in achieving those objectives.

Recognising the financial realities faced by many of our employees, the scheme includes not just electric vehicles but also hybrid and petrol options. This inclusivity ensures that almost everyone, regardless of their financial situation, can benefit from greener, more affordable transport. The Council are actively working to support this transition by tendering for more EV charge points at work, making it even easier for their staff to choose electric.

The Council’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond simply offering greener vehicles. They’re also dedicated to offsetting the carbon footprint of the car scheme through UK tree planting initiatives, a project they’re excited to kick off this year. Colin Bates, Strategic Category Lead tells us, “It’s not enough to talk about our values—we must live them, and the Tusker scheme is a tangible step in that direction by helping us plant over 8000 new tree’s in the 2024-25 tree planting season. This is a substantial step towards our target of 150,000 new trees.”

The introduction of Tusker was supported by the Council’s partnership with Edenred, their existing benefits platform. The integration was seamless, thanks to Tusker’s behind-the-scenes efforts to align their offering with Edenred. This merger has made accessing the car scheme even easier for our employees, consolidating the benefits into a more user-friendly, one-stop shop.

Communication has been key to the success of the Tusker scheme. The team have used a range of channels, from Viva Engage to internal articles and flash communications, to ensure that everyone is aware of the benefits available. Their wellbeing communications have played a central role, tying together various benefits under a unified message. The team have also made sure to reach those who might not be online regularly through bulletins and updates from leadership.

The feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive. Since relaunching the scheme, the team have heard nothing but good things from staff. With 60 cars already on the road, the scheme is clearly resonating with our workforce. Employees have praised the ease of use, the helpfulness of the staff, and the overall positive experience with anecdotal evidence already strong: the Tusker car scheme is making a real difference.

In conclusion, the Tusker car scheme is more than just a benefit—it’s a big part of the Council’s green agenda and a reflection of their commitment to sustainability. By making eco-friendly vehicles accessible to their employees, Colin is clear that “we’re driving towards a greener future together, one car at a time.”

Key Information
Date of launch: June 2022
Eligible employees: 2795
Accounts created: 1112

*correct as of September 2024

For more information contact us
tuskercars.com
introductions@tuskerdirect.com
0333 400 1010