Economic policies hindering the ecological transformation
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Get ready, corporate car fleets, because the European Union is looking your way! According to ANSA, the most recent Energy Transition Action Plan, unveiled on March 5 in Brussels, has some intriguing plans in store for you. Seems like you're quite the hot topic these days, representing as you do around 60% of the EU's car fleet.
These corporate fleets encompass lease, rental, and company cars, playing a crucial role in the transition to zero-emission mobility1.
So, what's the grand scheme? Well, the EU has a few tricks up its sleeve:
- Legally Binding Fleet Electrification Targets: Setting these targets will create a robust market environment and speed up the adoption of zero-emission vehicles, encouraging more businesses to switch to electric cars and making them more affordable by bolstering the second-hand EV market3.
- Alignment with Private Buyers: It looks like corporate fleet electric vehicle (EV) adoption has been a bit slower compared to private buyers (12.4% in 2024 versus 13.8% for private buyers). The EU is aiming to match or surpass these rates, potentially adding an estimated 9 million battery electric vehicles (BEVs) on EU roads by 2035, with a notable increase in countries like Germany1.
- Compliance with EU Regulations: Large companies will have to fall in line with regulations such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG), which typically necessitate sustainable practices, including electrifying vehicle fleets by 2030 or 2035 at the latest2.
- Infrastructure Support: From workplace and home charging solutions to companies specializing in turnkey charging solutions, the EU will be making sure that fleets can make the switch smoothly1.
- National Frameworks: These will include incentives and support measures like tax incentives, energy supply deductions, and charging infrastructure support, similar to the successful approach taken by Belgium's comprehensive EV framework1.
- Financial Support: Projects like the €700 million funding for expanding electric light commercial vehicles (eLCVs) across Europe will help fleet operators make the transition quickly4.
In a nutshell, the EU's plan relies on mandating fleet electrification targets, regulatory compliance, infrastructure support, financial incentives, and coordinated national efforts to get the majority of corporate car fleets on the zero-emission bandwagon by 2030-2035, making a substantial contribution to the EU’s zero-emission mobility goals13.
- In the quest to transition corporate car fleets towards zero-emission mobility, the EU is considering introducing tax incentives to make electric vehicles (EVs) more financially attractive.
- To boost the adoption of EVs in environmental science, the EU is planning to align the electrification rates of corporate fleets with those of private buyers, aiming to match or surpass marching percentages by 2024 and 2025 respectively, according to environmental-science data.
- In the proposed EU Green Deal, businesses will need to consider the financial implications of their investments in EVs, as the adoption of these vehicles will be a critical factor in meeting climate-change objectives set by the EU.
