Honda’s Insight model has proven its got the efficiency to do more after a new mileage marathon saw it beat its official mpg figure.
The carmaker challenged six high-mileage fleet drivers to test its hybrid model and on average they recorded an economy figure of 63.6 mpg- beating the official combined figure of 61.4mpg.
The drivers swapped their existing cars for a month of driving the Insight, to see if they save on their fuel bills. E-ON company car driver, Ray Hadlington, usually drives a Vauxhall Zafira Diesel. He improved his typical fuel economy by over 10mpg, which saved nearly £50 in fuel bills over the month.
“Fuel prices are likely to rise again due to the weaker pound, and with the recent increase in duty, fleets will be looking at how they can reduce their fuel costs,” says Graham Avent, Manager – Corporate Sales at Honda (UK).
“The results of this challenge show how switching the average company car driver into a Honda hybrid could save around £600 in fuel annually, or £1,800 over a 3-year contract.”
As the CO2 emissions of the Insight are just 101g/km it sits in the low 10 per cent Benefit in Kind (BIK) band. This means that company car tax starts from just £28 a month.
“Driving the Honda Insight was really no different from driving my Zafira, but the dashboard graphics reminded me to ease off the accelerator a little more than usual,” said winner Ray Hadlington. “The Benefit in Kind cost saving is probably the hardest element for me to ignore.”
The carmaker says fleets taking on the Honda Insight will also benefit from low whole life costs due to a combination of solid residual values, low SMR (service, maintenance and repair)costs and low fuel costs. In addition, Insight has low Class 1A National Insurance contributions and is exempt from the London congestion charge.
