With gas prices on the rise again, many of us are looking for ways to lower our fuel cost.
What if we could just go to the cloud to find a quick solution, well I think we can.
We could lower gas prices by rewarding companies who allow their team members to work remotely. Even something as little as 2 days a week could make a difference in gas prices. According to an article on ABCNEWS.COM the average distance a person travels to work is 16 miles one way. Two days a week would total 64 miles.If just 10 – 25% of the working population were remotely working two days a week, this could really put a dent into gas prices.
Rewards for companies could come as tax breaks. The Government could create a sliding scale for tax incentives for companies. For example: If a company allows 25% of their team members to work from home, the company could get a 2% reduction of overall taxes. A company who allows 75% of their employees to work from home would receive a 6% reduction in overall taxes. Research would have to be done to calculate real tax break incentives. The figures above are simply an example.
For those daily commuters who are able to work from home 2 days a week, they could see a $40 (25 MPG @ 4.00/gallon) reduction a month at the pump. But the real selling point for these lucky individuals would be time saved a week. A pole conducted by Gallup says the average comute time is 46 minutes. So someone working from home 2 days a week could gain an extra 1.5 hours a week. What could you do with an extra 1.5 hours a week?
The real kicker for this plan is what it will mean for commuters who are not able to work remotely. These commuters would reap the benefits of lower fuel cost and fewer commuters in traffic. This is what I call a win-win for all parties involved.
Please feel free to comment on this plan. Let me know where I am wrong or how to better this plan.