Fleet Evolution has launched a new specialist fleet management division, Mercia Fleet Management, following demand from its existing customer base.

The electric vehicle (EV) leasing and salary sacrifice provider, has been providing fleet management services for the last four years, typically for salary sacrifice clients.

It is now targeting a wider audience, with the new stand-alone operations.

“Through Mercia Fleet Management we will be providing what are seen as standard fleet management services – but with a personal twist,” said Andrew Leech (pictured), managing director at Fleet Evolution and head of the new fleet management division.

“Many conventional fleet management companies are very volume focused and are keen to offer minimal level services in return for large numbers of vehicles at low cost.

“Our approach is different. We provide high levels of personalised customer service where the needs of the customer are the first things that we consider, rather than simply ticking boxes and providing basic levels of service,” he said.

The new division, which will be largely Midlands-centric – a fact that is reflected in the new name – will focus on three key areas of business: care providers, SMEs and grey fleet operators.

It will offer a range of fleet management services, including fleet policy provision, vehicle acquisition advice, licence checking, risk management, fleet service scheduling, vehicle logistics and daily rental, plus wider mobility services.

Leech added: “One of our core objectives will be to provide savings for our clients. For example, allowing employees to make long journeys in their own vehicles and then reimbursing them at 45p per mile may be less cost effective than hiring a brand-new vehicle for the day – which will have lower duty of care risks into the bargain.

“As well as arranging the vehicle hire and the associated logistics, we can then factor these savings back into our rates which make for a more efficient and cost effective for the client all round,” he said.

Fleet Evolution recently launched a new salary sacrifice scheme for micro businesses and new start-ups that specialises in hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs).