Mobility

In 2006 Nuon introduced a sustainable lease car policy.

Lease car policy

In 2005 we made preparations to further improve the sustainability of our mobility policy. This led to the implementation of a company scheme for lease cars effective from 1 January 2006. Nuon’s mobility policy is compatible with the initiative of the environmental protection group Milieudefensie for the realisation of a sustainable lease car policy for passenger cars. In this connection, Nuon signed a letter of intent with Milieudefensie. The new company scheme for passenger cars includes the following guidelines:

  • Cars with energy label D or higher, off-the-road vehicles, Sport Utility Vehicles, 4x4s and cabriolets are excluded from the scheme;
  • New diesel cars must be delivered with a soot filter;
  • The lease car allowance depends partly on the fuel costs.

The implementation of the new scheme in 2006 was a success. Drivers of new cars are obliged to follow the ‘New Driving’ course at the road safety institute VVCR. In this way we want to stimulate energy-efficient driving techniques and awareness among our drivers. In addition, all lease car drivers received a score card indicating their personal score on fuel, damage and kilometres driven. Finally, employees with a lease car continue to have the option of a mobility budget instead of a car.

The CO2 emissions caused by Nuon’s Dutch car fleet in 2006 were compensated by the purchase of VER certificates (Verified Emissions Reduction). Our existing car fleet (passenger cars and commercial vehicles) will be equipped with soot filters. This has been made possible by our lease company which is taking over the factory guarantee for this purpose. As a result, we will start in 2007 with the placement of retrofit soot filters in a large part of our fleet with a view to reducing the emission of dust particles.

Alongside the lease car policy Nuon has taken other measures to promote sustainable mobility. In 2005 hybrid pool cars were purchased. After a period of acclimatisation to this new approach to driving, the cars were put to good use in 2006.

Week of Progress

During the national Week of Progress (18 to 22 September 2006) a campaign to promote sustainable transport was conducted within Nuon. Staff were informed of the new measures and the opportunities that Nuon offers for sustainable mobility. Staff were encouraged to leave the car and come to the office on the bicycle or by public transport. Cyclists could have their bicycles checked and received a discount voucher for repairs. All sustainable travellers had a chance of winning a bicycle. In addition, all car users were offered a tyre pressure service (‘Band op Spanning’). This not only led to 391 cars with correctly inflated tyres but also raised awareness among car users that under-inflated tyres leads to a higher fuel consumption. For 2007 a contract has been concluded with the ‘Band op Spanning’ organisation to offer Nuon employees this tyre pressure service every three months.