Business fleets adapt to successfully tackle 2020
Posted by: electime 29th January 2021
Unique commercial vehicle tracking data from Quartix shows a major difference in how business fleets responded to the first, second and third national coronavirus lockdown periods of 2020. While mileage travelled by Quartix UK customers during mid-March to May was around -50 per cent of the norm, businesses have since successfully adapted to keep activity levels high throughout the following lockdowns.
The statistics were calculated using a date in early March as a point of reference.
Considering the circumstances of the first lockdown period, it is clear why the pandemic stopped a lot of businesses in their tracks. Harsh challenges were posed for many, upturning how businesses could operate and causing many of those operations to cease. The 2nd and 3rd national lockdowns show far less impact on business fleet activity – hinting toward successful new ways of working that allowed businesses to continue functioning, while complying with government safety measures. Government guidance was readily available and better understood by this point in time.
Quartix data shows a steady improvement in fleet activity throughout the summer prevailed and in September 2020, fleet activity had hit normal levels once again. Promisingly, early December showed above normal activity levels. A steep decline marks the Christmas holiday period but new data from January 2021 proves this was temporary, with activity returning to previous levels within days. Seasonality, and a degree of fluctuation to the customer base, inevitably affects these statistics, but the data does indicate a reassuring picture for a wide range of businesses in the UK.
As demand for services declined in the Spring, many businesses suffered a financial loss. Once restrictions were eased and business could safely resume, it may have encouraged an activity boom; Businesses and customers alike were making up for lost time, harbouring a determination to complete work after the recent hiatus. The surge of activity in the summer was not only the result of the lifted restrictions, but also people uniting with a will to continue business and drive the economy forward.
Whether any of these new ways of working are here to stay, it is clear that UK businesses have shown a remarkable resilience and found innovative ways to overcome the challenges of the last year. Quartix will continue to provide valuable insight into business fleet activity as we progress through 2021, with a national lockdown still in place and Brexit changes starting to take effect.
