Virgin Media & Lightfoot cutting fuel use, emissions, and risk with pioneering driver behaviour technology

Reinforced their commitment to driver safety

Virgin Media’s fleet exceeds 4,000 vehicles and inevitably covers many miles each year, using a lot of fuel in the process. With their commitment to sustainability – including a company-wide target to grow the business without increasing their carbon footprint – Lightfoot’s ability to improve efficiency made it the perfect fit.

Encouraging fleet users to drive more efficiently and safely doesn’t just help to reduce fuel use and emissions rates, it keeps them safer. Virgin Media had already taken steps to increase the efficiency of their fleet – from bringing in higher MPG vans, reducing the average CO² of their vehicles and cutting out journeys – but, by rolling out Lightfoot, have reinforced their commitment to driver safety and wellbeing alongside sustainable business practice.

Sustainability credentials

For Virgin Media, though, the benefits of the technology stretch beyond its sustainability credentials:

Dave Hodsdon, Head of Claims and Insurance, Virgin Media, commented:

“Since roll out there has also been a real improvement in driving techniques. We took Lightfoot on to help us ensure that every driver comes home safe and if we can make that journey more efficient as well, then that’s a great win-win”

Lightfoot uses a traffic light system to advise the driver of how safely and efficiently they are driving via a small device which sits on the dashboard. Drivers aim to keep the lights green for as long as it is possible and sensible to do so, with a score of 85% or above earning them Elite Driver status. Elite Drivers deliver the biggest savings in emissions and fuel thanks to their safe, smooth driving and benefit the most from Lightfoot’s rewards platform – earning weekly discounts, freebies, and prizes. The live feedback provided by Lightfoot helps to tackle the problem many Fleet Managers face; endless amounts of data provided by telemetry devices but little opportunity to give timely, direct feedback to drivers.

Putting staff safety first

Lightfoot's Managing Director, Rupert Lyon Taylor said:

“Lightfoot is helping Virgin Media reduce costs and emissions and is playing a major part in their Zero Harm culture by reducing accidents and keeping drivers safe. It’s a real pleasure to work with the team at Virgin Media – to see such a household name focused on operating sustainably and putting staff safety first is hugely refreshing. They lead by example for fleets across the country with their commitments to protecting drivers and the planet.”

One million litres of fuel saved

Since launch, Lightfoot has been rolled out to nearly 95% of the Virgin Media fleet and the environmental benefits have been significant

After one year, Lightfoot has already helped to improve their drivers’ miles per gallon, a measure of efficiency, by 10%.

Rob McCann, Sustainable Growth Manager, Virgin Media said:

“With Lightfoot, it’s expected the business will save a million litres of fuel each year through improved driving efficiency – equating to approximately 2,500 tonnes of CO² emissions, enough to fill 52 Sydney Opera Houses.”.

Lightfoot is delivering big savings in costs and emissions and supports Virgin Media’s Zero Harm culture through reductions in accidents.