Fleet managers who generally work on three or five-year fleet cycles are currently grappling with uncertainty about the role electric vehicles will need to play in the immediate future. Businesses are already looking to reduce their carbon emissions, to meet environmental objectives as well as tackle business costs. Europcar has seen numerous business customers rent more and more electric and hybrid vehicles because increasing the proportion of low and zero emissions vehicles on fleet goes a long way to reducing environmental impact.
However, the reality is that there are still plenty of unknowns on the transition to net zero and what organisations need now is flexible solutions.
Rental stop gap
That’s where rental fits in. The flexibility and low-commitment model of rental makes it ideal for businesses in the current changing and uncertain landscape. Indeed, including electric rental vehicles within a fleet is becoming an increasingly popular way for businesses to learn from real-world experience to smooth the way for a greener fleet in future. And Europcar is underlining its commitment to supporting businesses and motorists on their net zero journey with a confident plan of fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle additions to its fleet in 2024.
The end of 2023 saw electric vehicles account for more than 12% of Europcar’s fleet and the company’s ambitions for 2024 are even greater as it schedules a range of new electric models based on its strong OEM partnerships. Among the latest car additions to the Europcar fleet are the recently launched Jeep Avenger, the Skoda Enyaq and the Volvo XC60 and XC90 PHEVs. These new EV models come alongside the already well-established fleet of Tesla Model 3s, Mercedes-Benz EQ models and MG4 available from Europcar locations across the UK. Europcar has also introduced a stress-free approach to vehicle charging for its rental fleet, to ensure customers don’t have to worry about returning the vehicle with a full charge. Every electric vehicle is provided at the start of rental with between 50% and 80% charge and the vehicle can be returned with just 20% battery charge.
Low commitment
Rental provides easy access to electric motoring in a low-commitment way which is good news for businesses. Electric vehicles can be rented when needed, for just a few days or weeks, which will then inform the decision about the best vehicle – and ownership options – for the future. Long-term rental also makes sense as businesses transition to zero emissions. It provides the ultimate flexibility to optimise fleet size as well as provides access to the latest vehicles and technology without having to commit to lengthy lease agreements.
The Europcar electric vehicle fleet is available from locations across the UK as well as for delivery and collection to most business and private addresses.
To find out more about how Europcar is helping businesses reduce their fleet emissions visit: www.europcar.co.uk/en-gb/p/business/fleet-services/electric
